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 5th 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.
Free Event for Adults with Special Needs
Decorah Parks & Recreation is hosting a Get-2-Gether (G2G) Drive Thru Santa Event for adults with special needs Saturday, December 19, 10:00-11:30am outside the Spectrum Network Kitchen at 200 Railroad Street, Decorah. Adults with special needs are invited to stop outside of Spectrum Network in Decorah to greet Santa and receive a small goodie bag. Participants should stay in their vehicles. This is a free event, but participants must register online at http://www.get2g.com/ or by calling the Park-Rec Office (563-382-4158) by Thursday, December 17.
Decorah Parks and Recreation hosted a series of free, self-guided, outdoor events Thanksgiving weekend! This included a Turkey Trot (5k and 1 mile loop) in the Decorah Community Prairie, a Fun Fact walk along Ice Cave Road and River Trail, a Downtown Turkey Hunt, and a Carlson Park Adventure. All activities were set up and available for participants to complete Thursday, November 26 thru Sunday, November 29. All participants were entered in a drawing to win Chamber Dollars, which can be used at local Decorah businesses.
Nearly 200 individuals participated in the Thanksgiving Adventure Series. Prize winners were selected at random and are listed below.
Aiden & Everly
Barry, Olivia & Spencer
Kayla, Jenny, Julie & Bob
Gregg, Karen, Kyle & Kate
Thanks to all who participated and a special congratulations to the drawing prize winners!
Decorah Parks and Recreation is hosting a series of free, self-guided, outdoor events Thanksgiving weekend! This includes a Turkey Trot (5k and 1 mile loop) in the Decorah Community Prairie, a Fun Fact walk along Ice Cave Road and River Trail, a Downtown Turkey Hunt, and a Carlson Park Adventure. All activities will be set up and available for participants to complete Thursday, November 26 thru Sunday, November 29. Participants are eligible for drawing prizes.
Turkey Trot
Run or walk the 5k or 1-mile loop that we have marked out in the Decorah Community Prairie. 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. Click here to submit your run/walk or send a picture of you during your turkey trot to parkrec@decorahia.org to be entered in a drawing to win a prize.
Fun Fact Turkey Walk
Find the turkeys on the trail as you walk Ice Cave Road and River Trail. Park in the gravel lot on the south side of Ice Cave Road near Palisades Park. Head west on Ice Cave Road until you reach the gravel parking lot on the south side of Ice Cave Road (near Dunning’s Spring Park) From there travel east on River Trail and follow the trail to return to where you parked. Read the signs along the route and you’ll be sure to learn something about turkeys that you never knew before. Look for a sign on the trail with instructions for your chance to win a drawing prize.
Downtown Turkey Hunt
Stroll downtown and see how many paper turkeys you can find in the storefront windows of local businesses. Be sure to walk the sidewalks on both the north side and south side of water street so you don’t miss any. For an added challenge see if you can figure out what all of the businesses with turkeys in the storefronts have in common. Click here to let us know how many turkeys you spotted and what you think the businesses with turkeys have in common. All participants will be entered in a drawing to win a prize.
Carlson Park Turkey Adventure
Challenge yourself and walk the loop at Carlson park. You’ll find turkeys with activities for you to complete throughout your walking adventure. Carlson Park is one of Decorah’s newest parks and is located adjacent to St. Benedict Cemetery on Pleasant Avenue heading south towards the Fish Hatchery. The park currently includes a 2-mile grass loop through the park. Look for a sign on the trail with instructions for your chance to win a drawing prize.
