Wayside Ice Rink & Warming House

The Wayside Ice Rink and Warming House will be CLOSED today, Tuesday, January 28th until further notice.

  • 108 5th Avenue, Decorah
  • Located across the street from West Side Dental and Pulpit Rock Brewery

Please abide by posted signage while skating, and be courteous of others while on the ice.

Times below indicate the Warming House Hours:

Monday – Thursday  3:00pm – 7:00pm

Friday   3:00pm – 9:00pm

Saturday   1:00pm – 9:00pm

Sunday   1:00pm – 7:00pm

For skate rentals, please visit Decorah Bicycles online, or in-store at 101 College Drive.

Decorah Bicycle Hours:

  • Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Sundays: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays

Fly Fishing Workshop- Free!

Join The Iowa Driftless Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Decorah Park-Rec., and Winneshiek County Conservation for a Free Fly Fishing Workshop Saturday, February 1, 2025.

This FREE workshop will be held in the Decorah High School Gymnasium from 10:00am- 12:00pm and is open to all ages.

Local casting instructors will discuss equipment, demonstrate basic casts, and will work with participants on their fly casting skills. Participants will be able to watch experts and learn how to tie their favorite flies.

There is no registration required, just show up!

Superhero Sunday- Free!

Superhero Sunday will be held in the Carrie Lee Gym, Sunday February 2nd, from 12:00pm- 2:00pm. Children are invited to come dressed to impress as their favorite superhero and join us for a free, open house event. If it is wet or snowy that day, we ask that you bring a change of shoes.
Play games, enjoy arts and crafts, and meet some of the local heroes who keep our town safe!
This is a free event, no registration is needed- just show up! However, participants will be asked to sign in when they arrive, agreeing to our liability waiver.
*All children must be accompanied by an adult*

No School Open Gyms (5th-8th Grade)

No school? No problem!

Join us at Carrie Lee Elementary for free, open gym play from 1:00-4:00pm on the following days:

Special No School Day Open Gym Dates for children in 5th8th grade.

Friday, Nov 29
Monday, Dec. 30
Friday, Jan. 3
Monday, Dec. 23
Tuesday Dec. 31
Thursday, Dec 26
Wednesday, Jan. 1
Friday, Dec. 27
Thursday, Jan. 2

New Year’s Eve Bash

The Decorah Parks and Recreation Department invites the community to attend the 27th Annual New Year’s Eve Bash sponsored by Decorah Bank & Trust and Gundersen Health System!  This free family friendly event will be held Tuesday, December 31, 5:30-9:30pm, in the Luther College Regents Center. The evening includes open swimming, basketball, tennis, pickleball, a Bouncy House for the little ones, and more.  Concession items including pizza, popcorn, water and Gatorade will be available for purchase. Please enter the Luther College Regents Center using the circle drive entrance on the west side of the building.

Turkey Trot – Free Event!

Participate in Decorah Parks & Recreation’s Turkey Trot Thursday, November 28 thru Sunday, December 1!

Run or walk the 5k or 1-mile loop that we have marked out in the Decorah Community Prairie anytime Thursday, November 28 thru Sunday, December 1.

**Traditional routes have changed due to trail maintenance and closures. The 1-mile loop is available to walkers/runners. Participants choosing to follow a 5k route may follow the same path and complete the distance in laps. Please follow the map/signs posted**

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.

2024 Turkey Shoot Results!

2024 Turkey Shoot Results

162 people participated in the 42nd Annual Decorah Park-Rec. Turkey Shoot on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. 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 are provided by Decorah Fareway and other prizes were purchased with donations from Deco Products 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.

    Turkey Winners                                                                          Prize Drawing Winner

38 & Under    Jacob & Aschim Reindhardt                                        Justin & Wyatt Kupka

39-41              Emmett & Tyler Wedemeier                                   Dominic Pechota & Jalen Klus

42-44               Cody & Duke Webb                                                   Andrew & Brandon Bailey

45-47               John & Simon Vogel                                                        Jake & Nora Feller

48-50               Bryan & Beckham Panos                                              Carol & Chase Hopp

51-53              Derek & Drew Thompson                                            Bethany & Josina Noble

54-56               Tadd & Harper Schutte                                                Gabby & Emersyn Root

57-59               Joel & Brock Teslow                                                       Gregg & Kate Pattison

60-62               Amanda & Peyton Webb                                           Janice & Tristan Hanson

63+                    Mark & Justin Albers                                                  Nick & Carter Kargalskiy

                                                                                                                       Brandon & Harper Pitz

                                                                                                                    Nathan & Carter Todd

                                                                                                                    Sarah & Lydia Trimble

                                                                                                                      Adam & Archer Weber

Winter Recreation Brochure

Check out the upcoming activities for November -March here!

Turkey Shoot- November 12th

The 42nd Annual Decorah Park-Rec. Turkey Shoot will be held in the Decorah High School Main Gym on Tuesday, November 12, 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 5:00 pm Wednesday, November 13.  This is a free activity, no need to register, just show up!

This event is sponsored by Deco Products Company and Prairie Lakes Church. All turkeys are donated by Fareway here in Decorah!

Wellness Weekend – Nov. 1st thru 3rd

The Decorah Chamber is pleased to celebrate Wellness Businesses on November 1st and 3rd. The Decorah Area has a lot to offer when it comes to services for personal wellness, self care, and fitness as well as exceptional spaces for exercise outdoors and healthy lifestyle. Use this weekend for trying something new and giving the gift of time for your personal wellbeing.

Details to come about participating businesses and special events.

https://www.decorahareachamber.com/event/wellness-weekend-2/