Recreation

Starting Monday, July 24th Gnomes in the Park returns for Nordic Fest 2023! Stop by the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce to pick up or download a Gnomes in the Park Scavenger Hunt Form and Map for a list of clues to find gnomes for your chance to win a drawing prize.

Search the park for gnomes and fill out the Gnomes in the Park Scavenger Hunt form by writing down the secret word on the back of each gnome. Return your Gnomes in the Park Scavenger Hunt form to the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce for your chance to win a drawing prize. This activity is organized by Decorah Parks & Recreation and Winneshiek County Conservation. It is perfect for kids, adults or the whole family! Please do not remove gnomes from the parks. Your completed Gnomes in the Park Scavenger Hunt form is your ticket for your chance to win a prize.

Decorah Parks and Recreation is partnering with Luther College to offer a fun, yet challenging, opportunity on the Ropes Course located on Luther College Campus Tuesday August 8th.

The two-hour challenge course programs provided by Luther offers a comprehensive adventure experience in a safe and dynamic learning atmosphere. Through active involvement in this program, groups and individuals work together through challenges that promote and complement dynamics of healthy lifestyles. Learning that is frequently associated with challenge course programming includes active participation and reflection on issues associated with diversity, leadership, team building, communication, problem solving, socialization, cooperation, self confidence, integrity, fitness, and recreational enjoyment.

*Anyone participating age 7-10 years old MUST be accompanied by an adult*

Luther College staff will work with groups to provide a comprehensive experience designed to be fun, active, and reflective. All staff facilitating groups are certified practitioners ensuring a safe, well-run program meeting Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) industry standards. Luther College requires a signed waiver/liability form that must be completed and turned in the day of the event. Participation will not be allowed without a completed form.

The course is located next to the soccer field just east of Lindeman Pond, the challenge course is a short walking distance from the Regents Center parking lot. All groups will meet at the scheduled time on the challenge course site. Challenge Course rain-date will be Wednesday August 9th.

Registration is available in the Park-Rec Office ONLY, starting Monday July 17th at 8:00am.   Registration deadline is Friday July 28, at 4:00pm.

There are two time slots available, but have limited spots.

Option 1.   August 8th    10:00am- 11:30am   $10/per participant

Option 2.   August 8th    12:00pm- 1:30pm    $10/per participant

The 31st annual Decorah Parks and Recreation Fair Fun Run sponsored by Collins Aerospace, Deco Products Company, Gundersen Health System, Oneota Valley Family Eye Care, The Family Table, Viking State Bank was held on Saturday, July 15^th with 90 people registering. The overall male champion in the 3-mile run was Grant Zilka of Decorah with a time of 16:25. The overall female champion was Olivia Volkmann of Decorah with a time of 21:10.  Kids 12 and under were also able to participate in a ¾ mile run.  The overall male champion of the kid’s race was Judah Mutsune of Decorah with a time of 4:10; the overall female champion was Eva Butler of Decorah with a time of 5:04. Medals were awarded to 1^st through 3^rd place finishers in each division.

Kids Race (3/4 Mile)

Male 6 & under: – Cash Stayskal (4.42), Putnam Dibble (5.41), Brenton Noble (5.42)

Male 7-8: – Jaxton Humpal (4.40), Flynn Thompson (4.46), Emmitt Quandahl (5.02)

Male 9-10: – Judah Mutsune (4.10), Eli Lyon (4.17), Ossie Nordschow (4.26)

Male 11-12: – Dawson Bliven (6.21)

Female 6 & under: – Cali Hovey (5.13), Violet Butler (5.40), Ava Harless (5.59.46)

Female 7-8: – Ada Lyon (5.04.93), Lillian Rude (5.59.10), Lyla Rude (6.27)

Female 9-10: – Eva Butler (5.04.51), Keira Strand (5.14), Andi Dibble (5.56)

Female 11-12: – Anna Bailey (6.02)

3 Mile Run

Male 14 & under: Oak Pasche (18.12), Derek Hrdlicka (18.19), Logan Nalean-Carlson (18.57)

Male 15-19: Grant Zilka (16.25), Garrett See (16.50), Thomas Hammel (17.28)

Male 30-39: Andrew Dueckwerth (18.47), Cory Miner (25.24), Jon Kallen (38.37)

Male 40-49: Benny Volkmann (20.06), Scott Nordschow (21.29), Lee Fullhart (21.54)

Male 50 & over: Scott Hervey (32.27), Dan Byrnes (23.37), Justin Gullekson (24.11)

Female 14 & under: Olivia Volkmann (21.10), Jodi Fullhart (21.50), Anya Volkmann (44.44)

Female 15-19: Ramsey Zilka (27.33)

Female 30-39: Christina Weckwerth (24.48), Stacy Miner (25.23), Jennifer Bliven (29.41)

Female 40-49: Marissa Nordschow (22.10), Gwen Strand (23.39), Micarach Mustune (26.23)

July is National Parks and Recreation month.  As part of that, Decorah Parks and Recreation will be hosting a “Celebration of Parks” the weekend of July 8 & 9.  This fun family orientated weekend will be a chance to celebrate new amenities in the park system that have been added over the last few years.

Decorah was a recipient of an Iowa Great Places Grant in 2019 to help restore historic rock structure features in the parks, including; the Wall along Park Street in Phelps, Phelps Trail, work at Dunning’s Spring, Pulpit Rock and the steps at Ice Cave which will wrap up this summer.

We will also celebrate some new memorial shelters in Phelps Park and Wayside Park as well as the facilities at Mary Christopher Park.

The following link will show a map of the selected locations: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1LQfLG5k-b7aQUmpLeHuMUXPrXXRC0jY&usp=sharing

• Ice Cave
• Dunning Springs
• Wayside Park
• Pulpit Rock
• Phelps Park
• Mary Christopher Park

Each of these locations will have a description of the Park Improvement(s), as well as a brochure for additional information. Come out and celebrate!

Pulpit Rock Brewing Co. recently announced the upcoming Pulpit to Pulpit 2023 fundraiser benefiting the Decorah Public Library and Decorah Free Clinic. The event will be held on Tuesday, July 4.

The fundraiser includes a timed-5K race and an untimed one-mile fun run/walk. Both races are family and dog friendly and will start and end at Pulpit Rock Brewing Co.

Registered participants will receive a Pulpit to Pulpit 2023 T-shirt (while supplies last), a free Spring Grove Soda, or $1 off draft pour at Pulpit Rock Brewing Co.

The event will also feature Josey Jewell as the official race starter, the Phil Iverson “Touch of Brass” band playing ‘Ol fashioned 4th of July celebration music’, the Rotary Club providing ice cream, and the Lions Club providing popcorn immediately following the race.

The entry fee is $30 for adults and $13 for children 12 and under. T-shirt and bib pickup will be at Pulpit Rock Brewing Co. from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, July 3, and starting at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4. For details, maps, and to register, visit www.pulpit2pulpit.com.

The Pulpit to Pulpit event is sponsored by Pulpit Rock Brewing Co., the Landing Market, DECO Products, A&J Petersburg, LuLu & BB’s, Kelly Real Estate, Letterwerks, Spring Grove Soda, Inspire(d), Nagle Signs, Oneota Health Solutions, West Side Dental, and ArtHaus, Inc.

Thank you to everyone who came out and participated in this event!

1st place winners at the local meet will advance to the state championships in Bondurant, Iowa on Saturday, June 17. Whether or not you plan to attend the State Meet, please call and confirm with the Park-Rec Office by Wednesday May 31, 2023.

More information is also available on the LIVE Healthy Iowa Kids Track Championship Website.