Recreation

The Fair Fun Run will be held Saturday, July 16. This family friendly event includes a 3/4 mile kids race for children ages 12 and under, and a 3-mle race for older children and adults. Each participant is eligible for a drawing prize distributed during the awards ceremony (must be present to win).  Refreshments are provided.  Awards are given to 1st-3rd place in each age division.

Registration can be completed online or by returning a paper registration form to the Park-Rec Office. Entry fee is $10 with a t-shirt and $5 without a t-shirt. Registration must be completed by Wednesday, June 29 to receive a shirt.

Packet up will be held and late registration will be taken 7:00-7:30am at the intersection of E Water St. and Sumner St the day of the event . The 3/4 mile run starts at 8:00 am; 3 mile at 8:30 from the fairgrounds.  The awards ceremony will be held in the Fontanelle Shelter near the Cattleman’s Building on the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds after the last participant finishes (approximately 9:30 am)

This event is made possible with the support of the Winneshiek County Fair Board and these sponsors: Collins Aerospace, Deco Products Company, Dental Associates of Decorah, Gundersen Health System, Oneota Valley Family Eye Care, The Family Table

Registration for Decorah Parks and Recreation for summer programs, activities, swim lessons and pool passes begins at 8:00am Monday, May 2. Registration can be completed online using credit/debit card or in the Park-Rec Office using cash or check.

Swim lessons begin the week of June 13. Additional information regarding swim lessons is available as a pdf or can be viewed on our Swim Lessons & Classes page.

Recreation programs and activities begin the week of June 6. A complete list of recreation programs and activities is available as a pdf or can be viewed online. Please note that children registering for summer programs and activities should register based on their grade level completed during the 2021-2022 school year.

Swim lesson and recreation classes are filled on a first come first served basis, register early for best availability.

The Decorah Municipal Swimming Pool will open for the season Tuesday, May 31. Swim pool passes can be purchased online or in the Park-Rec Office for a reduced rate through Thursday, May 26. New in 2022! Decorah Parks & Recreation will have a key card & scanner system at the pool for season pass holders. Please note that when purchasing a pool pass, a photo must be uploaded for each individual. Each person will be issued their own unique QR code (sent to their email inbox) to present for pool admission. Each person may also choose to stop by the Park-Rec Office after purchasing their pool pass online to be issued their own uniquely numbered card to present for admission. A lost card can be replaced for $5.00 and must be paid for at the Park-Rec Office.

More information including hours, daily admission fees, lap swim, water walking and aquacise classes can be found on the Swimming Pool Website.

The Live Healthy Iowa Kids Track Championships local track meet will be held at 4:30pm Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at the Decorah High School track. Youth ages 7 thru 14 as of December 31, 2022 are eligible to participate in this free event!

Registration is required and can be completed online. For a complete list of online registration instructions click here.

Registration can also be completed by filling out the PDF entry form and returning it via email (parkrec@decorahia.org) or in person to the Park-Rec Office no later than 4pm Friday, May 13.

1st place winners at the local meet will advance to the state championships in Marshalltown, Iowa on Saturday, June 18. More information is also available on the LIVE Healthy Iowa Kids Track Championship Website.

Children 8 years and under are invited to participate in Decorah Parks & Recreation’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, April 10th at 3:00pm at Will Baker Athletic Fields!

Decorah Parks and Recreation Spring Soccer program is open for registration. Soccer is open to children ages 3 thru 7th grade and is held Saturday mornings at Will Baker Athletic Fields. Registration for all soccer leagues must be completed by Monday, March 7.

Pee Wee Coed Soccer League (ages 3 & 4) is held Saturday mornings, April 23 thru May 14. Cost is $20 per child and includes a t-shirt. 5 year old thru 7th grade soccer is held Saturday mornings, April 2 thru May 14 (no soccer April 16). Participants are divided according to age and grade level. Cost is $25 per participant and includes a t-shirt. All players are required to wear shin guards, which Decorah Park-Rec provides at the fields.

Registration can be completed online or in the Park-Rec Office. Credit and Debit cards are accepted online, registration in the Park-Rec Office must be paid by cash or check.

Decorah Parks and Recreation invites the community to join our Winter Walkers program beginning Monday, January 10! Participate as an individual or create a walking pod (small group or family) and challenge yourself to get outside and walk every day. There is no cost to participate, participants should register online.

Each week you will receive an email that includes suggested routes, fun challenges, and a link to each week’s time log. Each submitted time log is an entry into a drawing for a monthly prize. You are not required to walk a certain amount, but rather are encouraged to set weekly goals and to keep a personal log to track and celebrate your own accomplishments.

Winter Walkers is a fun way for folks of all ages to stay active, spend time outside, and stay motivated during the winter when we are oftentimes less likely to bundle up and head outdoors. While the aim of this program is to get walking – feel free to participate as a runner or biker, as the goal is simply to get outside and get moving.

Register now and join us as we walk Decorah!

Participate in Decorah Parks & Recreation’s Turkey Trot Thursday, November 25 thru Sunday, November 28!

Run or walk the 5k or 1-mile loop that we have marked out in the Decorah Community Prairie anytime Thursday, November 25 thru Sunday, November 28. 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 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 levy) in Decorah.

Decorah Parks and Recreation fall program begins Monday, November 15. Registration can be completed online or in the Park-Rec Office. 

The following programs will be offered by Decorah Parks & Recreation in November, December, January and February. A complete list of programs and our registration form can also be viewed in our winter brochure.

Turkey Trot – Free event! Run or walk the 5k or 1-mile loop that we have marked out in the Decorah Community Prairie anytime Thursday, November 25 thru Sunday, November 28. Participants should submit their name online using the form available November 25 – November 28, and send a photo of themselves completing your turkey trot to decorahrec@gmail.com to be entered in a drawing to win a prize! This can be a fun challenge for individuals or for an entire household. The Decorah Community Prairie is located at the south end of Ohio Street (over the levy) in Decorah.

Intramural High School Basketball is open to Decorah High School Students. Games are played in the High School Practice Gym on Sunday evenings, beginning January 9 and running thru mid March. More registration information will be announced at school as the deadline approaches. Registration is due Monday, December 20.

Biddy Basketball  is open to children ages 3 thru 6. This program meets in the Carrie Lee Elementary Gym on Saturday mornings, January 22 thru February 12. Participants 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. Registration is due Tuesday, January 4.

Creative Kids is open to students in Kindergarten thru 2nd grade. This program meets after school Thursdays, January 6 thru January 27. Each week will include a different activity to show off your creativity including building with Legos, arts and crafts, painting, outdoor winter games and more. Students will meet immediately after school in the John Cline Gym and this program will run 3:10 to 4:00 pm. Registration due Tuesday, January 4.

Adult Recreational Volleyball– A free drop in activity! Recreational volleyball is held in the Carrie Lee Elementary Gym (enter east doors off of Winnebago Street) on Tuesdays, January 18 thru March 29 from 7:30 to 10:00 pm. A schedule is posted in the gym and online.

Fly Fishing Workshop – Free, open – house event! The Iowa Driftless Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Decorah Parks & Recreation, and Winneshiek County Conservation will co-host this workshop on Saturday, January 29 from 10:00 am to noon in the Decorah High School Gym. Local casting instructors will discuss equipment, demonstrate basic casts, and work with participants on their fly casting skills. Participants can watch experts and learn how to tie their favorite flies. This workshop is free and open to anglers of all ages and levels of experience. This is a free event—no registration required—just show up!

Middle School Bowling is open to 5th thru 8th grade students. This program is held at Skyline Lanes on Saturdays, February 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 8:30 to 9:45 am. Participants will receive instruction from members of the High School Bowling team and will bowl one to two games during each class. Registration due Friday, January 28.

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 7 thru February 6 (excluding January 9), 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.

Friday, November 5 (no school day!) Decorah Middle School students in 6th thru 8th grade are invited to organize teams and participate in the annual Middle School Dodgeball Tournament! Teams must be coed and games are played with 6 players (3 girls and 3 boys). Each team member must have a waiver signed by a parent/guardian. Teams must check in at the Carrie Lee Gym by 8:45 am Friday, and games will run most of the morning. Team roster/waiver forms are to be picked up in the Middle School Office. Cost is $25 per team. Registration and payment must be turned in to the Park-Rec Office by 4pm Friday, October 29.