2024 Whalen Cabin and Shelter Reservations

2024 Whalen Cabin and picnic shelter reservation requests may be made beginning Tuesday, January 2, at 8:00 am. Reservation requests on January 2 must be made by calling  563-382-4158 and leaving a message with your name, phone number, and the date, time and facility you are requesting to reserve.  Phone calls and messages will be returned in the order they are received.  Messages received before 8:00 am Tuesday, January 2 will not be considered.

Whalen Cabin and picnic shelters in the Decorah Parks System can be rented during the following time slots; 9am-2pm, 3pm-10pm or all day. The cost to rent Whalen Cabin for one time slot is $60 and the cost to rent Whalen Cabin all day is $84. The cost to rent a picnic shelter is $12 per time slot and the cost to rent a picnic shelter all day is $18.

Rental fees must be paid at least one week in advance of the reservation date. Fees are non-refundable unless cancelled two weeks in advance. The key for Whalen Cabin must be picked up and rental agreement signed by 4pm Thursday if a weekend rental and 24 hours in advance if renting Monday thru Friday. Scout troops may use Whalen Cabin at no cost, however reservations must be made in advance. Picnic shelters not posted with a reserved sign may be used on a first come, first served basis.

Photos and a map of Whalen Cabin and picnic shelters in Phelps Park can be found on our website.

Christmas Holiday Schedule

Sunday Cinema Series (December)

Join us Sunday afternoons in the Decorah Middle School Gym for a family, friendly movie showing every month, starting December 17th. Movies are chosen via social media votes, so be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

Popcorn will be available for free throughout the movie. Participants are welcome to bring in their own snacks and a beverage.

*Tentative* Movie Dates and Times:
Sunday December 17 @ 5:00pm
Sunday January 14 @ 2:30pm
Sunday February 11 @ 2:30pm

Cost is $1.00 at the door when you arrive.

Reindeer Workshop

Join us for an evening of reindeer making, led by Decorah Parks & Recreation staff. This workshop will take place on Thursday, December 14th at 6:30pm in the Decorah Park Shop (613 Park Street, next to Whalen Cabin).

This event is limited to 20 reindeer. Families or groups are welcome to attend as one to build a single reindeer.

FEE: $10

Holiday Lights

Helping Services for Youth & Families is happy to announce the opening of the 19th annual Holiday Lights event, held at Pulpit Rock Campground in Decorah. Holiday Lights is an annual fundraiser for Helping Services for Youth & Families, a nonprofit organization with programs that promote healthier and safer families throughout Northeast Iowa.

A free-will donation will be collected as you enter the gates of Holiday Lights. All donations benefit Helping Services for Youth & Families. For the complete schedule and list of sponsors, please visit www.helpingservices.org/holidaylights.

 

Winter Brochure 2023

Winter Brochure 2023- 2024

Registration opens at 8:00am, Wednesday, November 15th.

You can register for activities by clicking the Online Registration & Activities Info button. Credit and debit card payments are only accepted online. If you don’t have computer access, we are still accepting registrations by mail or in person at the Park-Rec. Office, but payment must be made by check or cash.

Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule

Turkey Trot- Free Event!

Participate in Decorah Parks & Recreation’s Turkey Trot Thursday, November 23 thru Sunday, November 26!

Run or walk the 5k or 1-mile loop that we have marked out in the Decorah Community Prairie anytime Thursday, November 23 thru Sunday, November 26. Submit your run/walk online and send a photo of you completing your turkey trot to decorahrec@gmail.com to be entered in a drawing to win a prize! This is an on-your-own, self paced event that can be a fun challenge for individuals or for your entire household. The Decorah Community Prairie is located at the south end of Ohio Street (over the levee) in Decorah.

Turkey Shoot Results!

2023 Turkey Shoot Results

149 people participated in the 41st Annual Decorah Park-Rec. Turkey Shoot on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. This parent-child free throw contest was held in the Decorah High School gym.  Participants were divided into age categories based on the combined ages of the participating parent and child. A turkey was awarded to the top scoring team in each category.  Turkeys were provided by Decorah Fareway and other prizes were purchased with donations from Deco Products, The Family Table, Gunderson Health System, Collins Aerospace and Prairie Lakes Church.  Turkey and drawing prize winners should pick up their certificate or prize in the Park-Rec. Office, which is open Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Please note the Park-Rec Office is closed Friday, November 10 in observance of Veterans Day.

    Turkey Winners                                                                          Prize Drawing Winner

 38 & Under     Megan and Lizzie Sherman                             Justin & Wyatt Kupka

39-41              Bethany and Brenton Noble                                   Al & Aiden Vang

                  42-44               John and Simon Vogel                                      Kristi Armor & Scarlett Novak

       45-47               Megan and Eli Lyon                                           Chris & Camden Cooper

      48-50                Andrew and Anna Bailey                                  Zac & Conner Robinson

         51-53               Zac and Peter Robinson                                     Munch & Levi Sherman

                     54-56               Amanda and Payge Webb                            Dawn Watson & Carson Bateman

          57-59               Jackson and Ray Hayek                                  Marnie & Daphne Carlson

               60-62               Andy and McCoy Bonnet                                       Jackson & Vaughn Hayek

                63+              Amy and Jackson Pipho                                          Andy & Marit Carlson

                                                                                                                       Derek & Elena Thompson

                                                                                                                     Sarah & Karl Wicks

                                                                                                                     Dustin & Josina Noble

                                                                                                                      Brian & Grace Huinker

                                                                                                                     Dominic & Collin Pechota

                                                                                                                      Jacob & Aschim Reindhardt

Turkey Shoot- November 7th

The 41st Annual Decorah Park-Rec. Turkey Shoot will be held in the Decorah High School Main Gym on Tuesday, November 7, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. In this fun family event, a parent and child team up, combine their ages to determine their competition bracket, and each shoot 10 free throws in an attempt to win a certificate for a free turkey.

In addition, all teams are eligible for a prize drawing. Winning teams will be posted on the Park-Rec. website and Facebook page by 4:00 pm Wednesday, November 8.  This is a free activity, no need to register, just show up!

This event is sponsored by Deco Products Company, The Family Table Restaurant, Fareway, Gundersen Health System, Collins Aerospace, and Prairie Lakes Church.