Recreation

Registration for Decorah Parks and Recreation for summer programs, activities, swim lessons and pool passes begins at 8:00am Monday, May 3. Registration can be completed online using credit/debit card or in the Park-Rec Office using cash or check.

The Decorah Municipal Swimming Pool will open for the season Tuesday, June 1. Swim pool passes can be purchased for a reduced rate through Friday, May 28. More information including hours, daily admission fees, lap swim, water walking and aquacise classes can be found on the Swimming Pool Website.

Swim lessons begin the week of June 14. Additional information regarding swim lessons is available as a pdf or can be viewed on our Learn to Swim Webpage (for children ages 5 & older) or our Parent-Infant/Toddler & Preschool Webpage (for children ages 3 months thru 4 years old).

Recreation programs and activities begin the week of June 7. 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 during the 2020-2021 school year.

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

The Decorah City Council rescinded Ordinance 1257 Mandating the use of face coverings in public places. This will be effective upon publication Thursday, May 27, 2021. In lieu of this, Decorah Parks and Recreation no longer requires the use of face coverings when participating in Decorah Parks & Recreation programs and events. The Decorah Parks & Recreation Board recommends continued use of face coverings for those who have not received the COVID19 vaccination per CDC guidelines.

The Live Healthy Iowa Kids Track Championships local track meet will be held at 4:30pm Monday, May 17, 2021 at the Decorah High School track. Youth ages 7 thru 14 as of December 31, 2021 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 to the Park-Rec Office no later than 5pm Friday, May 14.

1st place winners at the local meet will advance to the state championships in Marshalltown, Iowa on Saturday, June 19. More information is also available on the LIVE Healthy Iowa Kids Track Championship Website.

The Decorah Public Library, the Decorah Community School District, and the Decorah Parks and Recreation Department are hosting a BookWalk Friday, March 12 thru Sunday, March 28.

A BookWalk is a fun way to read while enjoying the outdoors. This month’s story is Whoever You Are written by Leslie Staub. Pages of the book will be posted on the paved trail in Phelps Park.

The BookWalk is free, open to the public, and does not require registration.  The story is available in both English and Spanish.

The Decorah Public Library, the Decorah Community School District, and the Decorah Parks and Recreation Department are hosting a Book Walk Friday, February 12 thru Sunday, February 28.

A Book Walk is a fun way to read while enjoying the outdoors. This month’s story is Last Stop on Market Street written by Matt De La Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson. Pages of the book will be posted beginning at Bowstring Bridge off of Highway 9 and traveling northeast along the Freeport Trail towards the Dog Park.

The Book Walk is free, open to the public, and does not require registration. The story is available in both English and Spanish.

Decorah Parks and Recreation is hosting a Biddy Basketball Jamboree for children ages three thru six. Children ages three and four may sign up to participate in one 30 minute session Saturday morning, February 27 and children ages five and six may sign up to participate in one half hour session Sunday afternoon, February 28. All children must participate with a parent/guardian/adult. Park-Rec staff will introduce participants to basic fundamentals of basketball using fun teaching techniques.

Each session is limited to a maximum of 15 children. Attendance is limited to the registered participant and one adult. Spectators are not permitted due to COVID-19, and to ensure adequate space for program participants. Children, parents, coaches, volunteers, and anyone who enters school facilities must wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth at all times, including while participating in the Biddy Basketball Jamboree. Cost is $5 per participant. Registration is due Friday, February 19. Registration may be completed online or in the Park-Rec Office.

The Biddy Basketball Jamboree will be held in the Carrie Lee Gymnasium. Please enter the gym using the doors on the east side of the building along Winnebago Street. Participants and participating adults are asked to bring a clean pair of ‘court shoes’ to change into and wear on the court once they arrive. Please note, this program will be suspended if school is suspended or moves to remote only learning due to COVID-19.

Decorah Parks and Recreation invites the community to join our February Winter Walkers program beginning Monday, February 1! 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, but participants should register online.

Participants may enter to win monthly drawing prizes, receive weekly motivational/informational emails, and be invited to participate in fun weekly challenges. While the goal of this program is to get walking – individuals may also participate as a runner or biker, what matters is you get outside and get moving.

Participants should log daily activity (in distance or time walked), and should submit weekly activity logs to be entered in monthly prize drawings. Prizes will be awarded to individuals and walking pods at the end of the month. Information to submit weekly activity logs will be emailed to walkers after they complete the free online registration. Participants are not required to walk a certain amount, but walkers are encouraged to set  goals for themselves or their pod.

The Decorah Parks and Recreation Department will highlight various plowed walking routes throughout the program, but walkers are also welcome and encouraged to walk in their neighborhood or other favorite locations. 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.

Register now and join us as we walk Decorah!

The Decorah Public Library, the Decorah Community School District, and the Decorah Parks and Recreation Department are hosting a BookWalk Friday, January 15 thru Sunday, January 24.

A BookWalk is a fun way to read while enjoying the outdoors. This month’s story is Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester. Pages of the book will be posted beginning on the trail just south of the 5^th Ave Bridge and across from Will Baker Athletic Fields in Decorah. The story will continue traveling south along the trail to and around Pulpit Rock Campground.

The BookWalk is free, open to the public, and does not require registration.  The story is available in both English and Spanish.

Participants can be entered in a drawing to win a $25 gift card to Cardboard Robot if they fill out this online survey after completing the BookWalk!

Sharp Shooters, Hoopsters and Adult Volleyball Leagues that were suspended in mid-November due to COVID-19 regulations will resume in January.

Women’s Volleyball League will resume Wednesday, January 6. Sharp Shooters Basketball will resume Saturday, January 9. Coed Volleyball will resume Sunday, January 10. Hoopsters Basketball will resume Monday, January 11.

Participants in Sharp Shooters and Hoopsters should check their email for additional information. Participants in Adult Volleyball Leagues should check with their team captain for additional information.

For further information please contact the Decorah Parks & Recreation Office at 563-382-4158.

Ring in the New Year at home!  Decorah Parks & Recreation is creating a bag of supplies for families to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home. The bag will include crafts and activities for indoors and outdoors to help make New Year’s a special celebration amidst a year that has been unlike any other.

Families wishing to participate should register their children (bags are geared for ages 2-10 years) online by Wednesday, December 16. New Year’s Eve at Home bags will be available for families to pick up 8am-5pm Tuesday, December 29 outside the Park-Rec Office.

There is no cost to participate in this program, but a box for free will donations will be set up outside the Park-Rec Office throughout pick-up day.  Funds received will be used to support this and future free activities offered by Decorah Parks & Recreation.  If you have questions please contact the Park-Rec Office via email (parkrec@decorahia.org) or by calling 563-382-4158.