Winter Walkers

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!

Turkey Trot – Free Event!

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.

Winter Program Registration begins November 15

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 TrotFree 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.

 

Open Basketball

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.

 

Middle School Dodgeball Tournament – Nov 5

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.

Touch A Truck – Sat, Oct 9

Little boy wearing fireman coat and hatJoin us for this fun, free open house event for the whole family Saturday, October 9 , 11am-1pm in the parking lot behind City Hall!

Come explore your favorite vehicles including police, fire and emergency vehicles, construction equipment, farm equipment, tow trucks, and city maintenance equipment. A free hot dog lunch will be provided by the Decorah Fire Department. No need to register, just show up! This event is co-hosted with the Decorah Fire Department in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week and volunteers are provided by the Decorah Rotary Club.

Registration for Basketball (1st-6th Grade) & Adult Volleyball Begins Oct 1

Registration for Decorah Parks and Recreation 1st-6th grade basketball programs and adult volleyball leagues begins Friday, October 1. Registration can be completed online or in the Park-Rec Office. 

The following programs will be offered by Decorah Parks & Recreation beginning in November. A complete list of programs and our registration form can also be viewed in our fall brochure.

Sharp Shooters (1st-3rd grade basketball): This basketball program is held in the Carrie Lee Elementary Gym on Saturday mornings, November 6 thru December 11 (No basketball Sat, Nov 27). Each day of this program will include a skill session followed by a short scrimmage. Participants will be divided into groups based on grade level and each participant will be assigned to a 45-minute time slot each Saturday morning. Please note, this program is held in Decorah Community School District Facilities and will follow Decorah Community School District mask requirements. Participants pick up their schedule and jersey at the Park-Rec. Office on Thursday, November 4, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. This program is sponsored by Deco Products Company and Dental Associates of Decarah, PC. Registration due Thursday, Oct 21.

Hoopsters (4th-6th grade basketball): This basketball program meets in the Carrie Lee Gym Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings beginning November 11 and running through December 14. Each day of this program will include a skill session followed by a short scrimmage. Participants will be divided into groups based on grade level and each participant will be assigned to attend six evening sessions. Please note, this program is held in Decorah Community School District Facilities and will follow Decorah Community School District mask requirements. Participants pick up their schedule and jersey at the Park-Rec. Office on Thursday, November 4, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. This program is sponsored by Oneota Valley Family Eye Care. Registration due Thursday, Oct 21.

Adult Women’s Volleyball: Matches are played in the evenings in the Carrie Lee Elementary Gym. A and B divisions. League play is Wednesdays starting November 3. HS volleyball team rostered players will not be allowed to play until their season is over. In Women’s League, HS players are only allowed in “A” League. Registration is due Friday, October 22.

Adult Coed Volleyball: Matches are played in the evenings in the Carrie Lee Elementary Gym. League play is Sundays starting November 7. HS volleyball team rostered players will not be allowed to play until their season is over. Registration due Friday, Oct 22.

 

Fall Program Registration begins August 16

Decorah Parks and Recreation fall program begins Monday, August 16. Registration can be completed online or in the Park-Rec Office. 

The following programs will be offered by Decorah Parks & Recreation in September and October. A complete list of programs and our registration form can also be viewed in our fall brochure.

Flag Football is open to students in 1st thru 6th grade. This program is held Saturday mornings, September 11 thru October 16, at Will Baker Athletic Fields.  Game mornings will consist of a short practice followed by a game.  Games will not be rescheduled if cancelled due to weather. Registered players should pick up their shirts and schedules in the Park-Rec Office Thursday, September 9, 8am-5pm. Registration due Thursday, August 26.

Spikesters Volleyball is open to students in 3rd thru 6th grade. This program meets in the Carrie Lee Elementary Gym on Saturday mornings,  September 11 thru October 16.  Skills are taught weekly and then put to use in game-like situations.  Shirts and schedules will be available for pick up in the Park-Rec Office, 8:00am to 5:00pm Thursday, September 9. Registration due Thursday, August 26.

Adult Coed Slowpitch Softball: League play is Wednesday evenings beginning September 8 and running thru late October.  Games are played at Diamond #2 (near the Tennis Courts).  Teams consist of at least 5 male and 5 female players, with a roster maximum of 20.  Teams are responsible for umping games; 12-inch game balls are supplied. Official roster forms may be downloaded from our website or picked up at the Park-Rec. Office.  Schedules will be emailed to captains. Games balls will be available in the office on Tuesday, September 7. Registration due Friday, August 27.

Game Plan is open to students in 1st & 2nd grades. This program meets right after school and will include a variety of activities including sports and yard games! This program meets Thursdays, October 7 thru 28, 3:15-4:00pm. Students will meet in the John Cline gym and walk over to the green space in the outfield of Diamond #2.  Maximum of 20 participants. Registration due Friday, October 1.

TOUCH-A-TRUCK – A fun, free, open house event for the whole family. No need to register, just show up! Join us in the parking lot behind the Decorah Fire Department on Saturday, October 9, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.  Kids will have the opportunity to explore their favorite vehicles including police, fire and emergency vehicles, construction equipment, and city maintenance vehicles.  This event is co-hosted with the Decorah Fire Department in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week, and includes a free hot dog lunch.

 

 

G2G Event Wed, Aug 18

Decorah’s Get-2-Gether Committee and Decorah Parks and Recreation are hosting a free Summer Celebration for adults with special needs Wednesday, August 18 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Whalen Cabin near Phelps Park.

Adults with special needs are invited for an evening of live music by The Other Guys, games, bingo, Mabes Pizza and Culver’s Custard. Volunteers will be provided by the Luther College Soccer Teams.

Sponsors and community donations allow G2G volunteers to offer these events at no cost to participants.

Participants should register for this event by Friday, August 13, to allow volunteers to plan accordingly. Registration can be completed online at www.get2g.com or by contacting the Decorah’s Parks and Recreation office, (563) 382-4158

Gnomes in the Park

Paper Cutout Gnome in Park

Decorah Parks & Recreation is hosting a Gnomes in the Parks Scavenger Hunt over Nordic Fest!

Pick up the Scavenger Hunt form at the Decoarh Area Chamber of Commerce or download the pdf version to participate.

Visit Decorah’s parks and natural areas listed on the Scavenger Hunt form. Use the clues to find gnomes in each of the areas and look on the back of the gnomes for the word to fill in the blank next to the clue. Once you have finished your Scavenger Hunt and completed all or some of the clues, return the form to the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce to be entered in a drawing for your chance to win a prize!

Please note, gnomes should not be removed from their locations in the parks.