Decorah Parks and Recreation has added a new web page to their website to keep community members and visitors up to date with the many projects our park staff, stone masons, and volunteers have been working on. We hope this website is informational and provides you with valuable information while visiting and exploring the Decorah Park System.
Dunning’s Spring Park and Ice Cave have been extremely busy this season. Visitors should park in the gravel lot near the river on the south side of Ice Cave Road. If the parking lot is full visitors may park along Ice Cave Road. Please be respectful of private property.
Dunning’s Spring Waterfall: From the gravel parking lot it is about a 200 yard walk along the paved drive to Dunning’s Spring Waterfall. Please note, there is not parking at the waterfall. The paved drive is open to drop off traffic for those with mobility concerns.
Ice Cave: From the gravel parking lot it is about a ½ mile walk east on Ice Cave Road to the cave. Ice Cave is open to the public with no fee for admission. The cave narrows significantly after the first 10 yards. For more information about the geology of Ice Cave, click here.
Decorah Parks & Recreation is accepting registrations for the spring programs listed below.
Soccer (ages 3 thru 7th grade)
Active in the Outdoors (grades Kindergarten thru 2nd)
Easter Egg Hunt (ages 8 & under)
School’s Out, We’re In (ages 5 thru 8)
Live Healthy Iowa Kids Track Championship (ages 7 thru 14)
Taekwondo (ages 4 & up)
Softball Leagues (adult men’s & coed slowpitch)
Registration can be completed online or in the Park-Rec Office. For additional information please call the Decorah Parks & Recreation Office at 563-382-4158.
Due to minimal snowfall and warm temperatures trails are no longer being groomed for winter recreation.
Welcome to the Decorah Parks and Recreation Winter Trail System! All of our trails are multi-use trails. Please watch for signage and use proper winter trail etiquette so that everyone can enjoy their favorite winter activities!
The following trails and park areas are groomed regularly.
For best skate skiing conditions we recommend the following areas:
For information regarding groomed fat bike trails visit the Decorah Mountain Bike Trails Facebook Page.
For best winter walking routes on plowed trails we recommend the following areas:
2.7 Mile Loop: Start at the Decorah Swimming Pool. Travel north on the sidewalk along College Drive. Take your first left towards Luther College and follow down the hill to the right. Stay on Luther College Dike Road past the fields and tennis courts. Turn right on Riverview Dr and follow to 5th Ave. Take a left on 5th Ave. Follow 5th Ave to College Dr. Take a left on College Dr and follow the sidewalk along College Dr. back to the Decorah Swimming Pool.
9.2 Miles Out & Back: Sidewalks and trails are plowed starting at Vesterheim Museum traveling east along Water St. through downtown and south along Montgomery St. Cross over to east side of Montgomery St. just past Winneshiek Medical Center. Follow trail east towards Walmart, past the Dog Park through Freeport to the end of the trail at Haugen Hummel housing development.
Additional information including the want ad, job descriptions, and employment application can be viewed and downloaded from the City of Decorah website
No school, no problem, your child (ages 5 thru 8) can join us for an entire day of fun!
Friday, February 14 is a no school day. Children registering for this program will meet in the Carrie Lee gym from 7:45 am to 3:45 pm. Children will participate in outdoor play, games, crafts, and other choice activities that are sure to keep them busy and entertained on this no school day. Participants should bring a lunch, water bottle, outdoor clothes, and an extra pair of tennis shoes to wear indoors. A morning and afternoon snack will be provided. All children should be dropped off between 7:45 am and 8:15 am, and picked up by 3:45 pm. Please enter Carrie Lee through the gym entrance just south of the Middle School on Winnebago Street.
Cost is $20 per participant. Registration and payment can be completed online at https://decorahparkrec.activityreg.com/selectactivity_t2.wcs. Registration will remain open until Friday, February 7 or until the class limit of 25 participants has been reached.
Join us for this fun, free, family friendly open house event in the 6:30-10:30pm Tuesday, December 31 in the Luther College Regents Center. The New Year’s Eve Bash will include open swimming, tennis, racquetball, basketball, pickleball, a bouncy house, and many other games and activities for all ages. Pizza, Gatorade, water and other snacks will be available for purchase. This event is sponsored by Decorah Bank & Trust and Gundersen Health System.
Please enter the Luther College Regents Center using the circle drive entrance on the west side of the building. No registration required, just show up.
Decorah Parks and Recreation hosts open basketball play for kids of all ages in the Carrie Lee Elementary Gym (enter east doors off of Winnebago Street) on Sundays, November 10 thru February 16 (excluding January 12), from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. All children in 4th grade and under must be accompanied by an adult. Little Tykes hoops and basketballs will be available for younger kids, lowered hoops for those that are a little bit older, and regular 10 foot hoops for those in 4th grade and above. Special open gym will also be available on no school days for kids in 5th thru 8th grade. A complete schedule is posted in the gym and online. This is a free, drop in activity. No need to register, just show up.
Participants in the two Biddy BB leagues (Pee Wee 3-4 yrs and Kinder 5-6 yrs) will learn the basic fundamentals of basketball and enjoy actual team competition. Teams are grouped according to age and game rules are modified to accommodate the lower ages and skill levels. Small baskets, balls and fun teaching techniques are used with special emphasis on sportsmanship. Each Saturday consists of a skills session followed by a game. This program meets in the Carrie Lee Elementary Gym on Saturday mornings, January 18 thru February 8. PARENTS: Two volunteer coaches are needed for each team. Park-Rec. staff will also assist with this program. If you are willing to coach, please include your name and shirt size when registering your child. REGISTRATION FEE: $20 (includes shirt). Register online or in the Park-Rec. Office. Credit and debit cards are only accepted online.
This program for 5th thru 8th graders is held at Oneota Lanes on Saturdays, January 4, 11, 18 and 25, from 10:00 to 11:30 am. Participants will bowl two games during each class time with some instruction provided. In addition, youth in this program will be allowed to bowl for a cost of $2 per game throughout the 2020 calendar year. Registration fee is $25 (lane & shoe rental included). Register online or in the Park-Rec. Office. Credit and debit cards are only accepted online.