March Madness Bracket Challenge 2025

FREE EVENT

This will be an on-going event through the entire March Madness Tournament for both men and women. Each participant is allowed to submit one bracket per tournament, one for men’s and one’s for women for a total of two brackets. You cannot submit two brackets within the same tournament.

Brackets will be submitted through ESPN’s Tournament Challenge no later than Wednesday, March 19th. Use the links and follow the prompts (links available soon!)

Points will be awarded to participants whose teams advance throughout the tournament. Participants with the most points will be eligible to win prizes!

Trail Conditions- Use Caution

As we near warmer weather, please note there are still areas of trails that have snow/icy coverings. The Parks and Recreation Dept. is working to clear sections of the trails as much as possible, without damaging the trail and it’s surrounding areas.

We ask you that if an area is blocked off or closed, you obey signage and use alternative routes for the time being. If a section is open we ask that you use extreme caution and be on alert in those areas as well.

If you have questions or concerns, please call our office at 563-382-4158.

Free Fishing Weekend- June 8th

Decorah Parks & Recreation and the Iowa DNR are hosting a fishing day beginning at 9:00am at Twin Springs Pond.

This event is free and is geared for children ages 12 and under (ages 8 & under must be accompanied by an adult). Children should bring their own poles and bait (worms). Only a very limited amount of equipment and bait will be available.

This event is part of Free Fishing Weekend (fishing license is not needed for Iowa residents from June 7-9). No need to register, just show up!

Fair Fun Run- July 15th

The Fair Fun Run will be held Saturday, July 15. 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 $12 with a t-shirt and $6 without a t-shirt. Registration is still available for the No Shirt option.

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, Gundersen Health System, Oneota Valley Family Eye Care, The Family Table, Viking State Bank

Campfire Notice

Pulpit Rock Campground will have a Campfire Notice effective June 16, 2023.

 

Please review the notice carefully and be considerate of those around you while attending the Pulpit Rock Campground.

Launch Your Game: Pickleball Class

Registration for Launch Your Game is still OPEN!
Learn the basics of the game from Mirim and Daniel Skrade, including fundamental strokes, serving, rules of play and terminology. Classes meet at the city tennis courts and will get you ready to play on your own or at any drop-in pickleball session throughout the year.
This program will be held June 11-13 (Sunday-Tuesday), 6:00- 7:00pm. Please note that all children ages 12 thru 16 must register and participate with an adult.

Free Trout Fishing Event

Come on out and enjoy our Free Trout Fishing Event, Saturday June 3, 2023 from 9:00am- 11:00am at Twin Springs Pond!
 
This event is geared towards kids and their families who enjoy the great outdoors. Some equipment will be available for use (if you don’t have your own). Thank you to Iowa Department of Natural Resources for helping make this event possible!

CRATER TRAIL RUN

It’s the 10th Anniversary of the CRATER TRAIL RUN

Trail running like NO OTHER!

June 3rd, 2023

50k, 25k, 10k, 5k + Kids 1mi.

Find yourself running in the gorgeous terrain surrounding Decorah, Iowa.

REGISTER TODAY:

Cratertrailrun.com | https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=101205

Proceeds benefit Northeast Iowa Montessori School, the Decorah Human Powered Trails and the Decorah Park & Rec.

Distances:

5 K $30, 3.2 miles long, 613 feet climbing.

10 K $40, 6.3 miles long, 1383 feet of climbing.

25 K $55, 15.5 miles long, 2750 feet of climbing.

50 K $75, 31.1 miles long, 5500+ feet of climbing.

Climbs are approximate.

Swag item included for all registrants while supplies last.

All Registrations are final but transferable.
Facebook.com/CraterTrailRun

Free Pickleball Drilling

Drilling:

A pickleball drill is an exercise that is designed to isolate and work on a particular skill or set of skills that a player desires to improve. A key component of a drill is that it allows for many repetitions of the same stroke or small set of strokes in a condensed period of time which is necessary in order to develop the necessary muscle memory that is required to engrain the skill as a new habit so that it becomes automatic.

Drilling various shots regularly offers players the opportunity to fine-tune & hone their technique. It reaches a point at which they can trust that a particular shot will pay off for them during a match.

This confidence in their technique comes from repeated practice of basic movements back and forth under strictly controlled conditions.

Available Drilling Opportunities:

Drilling with David

            David Thompson, a local pickleball enthusiast, will teach you the foundational drills needed to build your game. Spend four sessions with David and you will be armed with the drilling tools to practice on your own. Max. 8 players per session, please register online or in the Park-Rec Office.

        • June (Beginner & Advanced Beginner Players)
          • Tuesdays in June (6, 13, 20, 27)
          • Time: 8:30am- 9:30am at the City Tennis Courts
        • July (Intermediate Players)
          • Thursdays in July (6, 13, 20, 27)
          • Time: 8:30am- 9:30am at the City Tennis Courts

Drilling with Daniel

            Daniel Skrade loves pickleball and wants drilling to be fun.  He has crafted drilling games that will improve your pickleball skills while keeping it fun and slightly competitive.

This event is for those who have played pickleball before. This is a drop-in event and no registration is needed.

        • Wednesday evenings beginning June 14th
        • Drop-In from 5:30pm- 6:30pm at the City Tennis Courts

           

Drilling with Jeff

            Jeff Tomlinson, a seasoned local player and instructor, believes drilling is key to developing your pickleball game.  Watch for pickleball emails and Decorah Pickleball Facebook for opportunities to join Jeff for pop-up group drilling sessions for advanced players. 

 

All drilling is available at no cost thanks to our local sponsor, Harman Realty

Pickleball Classes

Classes

Launch Your Game:

Decorah pickleball instructors, Miriam and Daniel Skrade, will teach you the basics of the game including fundamental strokes, serving, rules of play and terminology. Classes meet at the city tennis courts and will get you ready to play on your own or at any drop-in pickleball session throughout the year.

This program will be held June 11-13 (Sunday-Tuesday), 6:00- 7:00pm. Please note that all children ages 12 thru 16 must register and participate with an adult. Some paddles and balls will be available for use. Please contact the Park-Rec Office (563-382-4158) if you do not have your own equipment.

Cost is $30 per participant. Registration should be completed by Friday June 9th. Registration can be completed online or in the Park-Rec Office.

Advance Your Game:

As interest in Pickleball has grown in Decorah, so has the desire to learn and improve together! That’s why we’ve asked Miriam and Daniel Skrade to help take our games to the next level. They’ll talk about court positioning, shot placement, shot variety (dinks, drives, lobs), how to disarm a ‘banger’, how to ‘hold your line’, and help us develop a few go to strategies.

Prerequisites: Knows scoring/rules, consistent serve, forehand, backhand, and volley. Ability to generate pace on the ball. Moderate-high reaction time and court movement.

This program runs June 18-20 (Sunday-Tuesday), 6-7:00pm and is open to youth completing 9th grade thru adult.

Cost is $30 per participant. Registration should be completed by Friday June 16th. Registration can be completed online or in the Park-Rec Office.

 

Clinics (One-Day Events)

Pickleball 101 Clinic:     Monday June 5th

Join Decorah Parks and Recreation and local pickleball enthusiasts for an introductory pickleball class! Participants will receive basic instruction on how to play pickleball, as well as scorekeeping. This clinic will take place at the City Tennis Courts.

Participants can choose one of two available sessions listed: 10:30am- 12:00pm OR 6:00- 7:30pm.

Cost is $20 per participant. Registration should be completed by Friday June 2nd. Registration can be completed online or in the Park-Rec Office.

Advanced Pickleball Clinic:    Sunday June 25th

This one-day clinic will be held Sunday June 25th at the City Tennis Courts from 5:30- 7:00pm. The program is for advanced pickleball players looking to achieve expert level status!

Cost is $20 per participant. Registration should be completed by Friday June 23rd. Registration can be completed online or in the Park-Rec Office.