Author: Decorah Park Rec

Decorah’s Get-2-Gether (G2G) Committee and Decorah Parks and Recreation invite adults with special needs to the Winneshiek County Fair Friday, July 15 for music by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band!

A gathering area and brown bag supper will be provided for all registered participants between 4:30 and 6:30pm in the seating area under the overhang of the new community building. A number of designated parking spots will be available for G2G participants just outside the new community building.

Participants will receive ride tickets for the midway, and at 6:30pm the gates open and G2G participants will have a designated spot on the track to enjoy the concert that begins at 7:30pm!

Participants must register by Friday, July 8. Registration can be completed online or by calling the Decorah parks & Recreation Office (563-382-4158). This is a free event, but registration is required for planning purposes.

Please note, participants who have a 2022 Winneshiek County Fair Button should wear their button to the event.

The Fair Fun Run will be held Saturday, July 16. 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 $10 with a t-shirt and $5 without a t-shirt. Registration must be completed by Wednesday, June 29 to receive a shirt.

Packet up will be held and 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, Dental Associates of Decorah, Gundersen Health System, Oneota Valley Family Eye Care, The Family Table

Registration for Decorah Parks and Recreation for summer programs, activities, swim lessons and pool passes begins at 8:00am Monday, May 2. Registration can be completed online using credit/debit card or in the Park-Rec Office using cash or check.

Swim lessons begin the week of June 13. Additional information regarding swim lessons is available as a pdf or can be viewed on our Swim Lessons & Classes page.

Recreation programs and activities begin the week of June 6. 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 completed during the 2021-2022 school year.

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

The Decorah Municipal Swimming Pool will open for the season Tuesday, May 31. Swim pool passes can be purchased online or in the Park-Rec Office for a reduced rate through Thursday, May 26. New in 2022! Decorah Parks & Recreation will have a key card & scanner system at the pool for season pass holders. Please note that when purchasing a pool pass, a photo must be uploaded for each individual. Each person will be issued their own unique QR code (sent to their email inbox) to present for pool admission. Each person may also choose to stop by the Park-Rec Office after purchasing their pool pass online to be issued their own uniquely numbered card to present for admission. A lost card can be replaced for $5.00 and must be paid for at the Park-Rec Office.

More information including hours, daily admission fees, lap swim, water walking and aquacise classes can be found on the Swimming Pool Website.

Swim Pool Passes are available for purchase! Pool passes can be purchased online or in the Park-Rec Office for a reduced rate through Thursday, May 26.

New in 2022! Decorah Parks & Recreation will have a key card & scanner system at the pool for season pass holders. Please note that when purchasing a pool pass, a photo must be uploaded for each individual. Each person will be issued their own unique QR code (sent to their email inbox) to present for pool admission. Each person may also choose to stop by the Park-Rec Office after purchasing their pool pass online to be issued their own uniquely numbered card to present for admission. A lost card can be replaced for $5.00 and must be paid for at the Park-Rec Office.

More information about the 2022 Swim Pool season including pool hours, admission fees, and swim lessons can be found online.

The Live Healthy Iowa Kids Track Championships local track meet will be held at 4:30pm Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at the Decorah High School track. Youth ages 7 thru 14 as of December 31, 2022 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 via email (parkrec@decorahia.org) or in person to the Park-Rec Office no later than 4pm Friday, May 13.

1st place winners at the local meet will advance to the state championships in Marshalltown, Iowa on Saturday, June 18. More information is also available on the LIVE Healthy Iowa Kids Track Championship Website.

Children 8 years and under are invited to participate in Decorah Parks & Recreation’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, April 10th at 3:00pm at Will Baker Athletic Fields!

Decorah Parks and Recreation Spring Soccer program is open for registration. Soccer is open to children ages 3 thru 7th grade and is held Saturday mornings at Will Baker Athletic Fields. Registration for all soccer leagues must be completed by Monday, March 7.

Pee Wee Coed Soccer League (ages 3 & 4) is held Saturday mornings, April 23 thru May 14. Cost is $20 per child and includes a t-shirt. 5 year old thru 7th grade soccer is held Saturday mornings, April 2 thru May 14 (no soccer April 16). Participants are divided according to age and grade level. Cost is $25 per participant and includes a t-shirt. All players are required to wear shin guards, which Decorah Park-Rec provides at the fields.

Registration can be completed online or in the Park-Rec Office. Credit and Debit cards are accepted online, registration in the Park-Rec Office must be paid by cash or check.

Skiing

The following hard surfaces have been rolled.

• Trout Run Trail
• Palisades
• Ice Cave Rd

We did not receive enough snow to roll soft trails or to do any grooming.

Snowshoeing

Decorah Parks & Recreation encourages those snowshoeing to use the multi-use trail in Carlson Park, the Decorah Community Prairie, and the trails in Van Peenen. Please be courteous of skiers and stay off the groomed ski trails.

Plowed Walking Routes

Staff will plow routes for walking throughout the winter season.

• Route #1: Starting at 5th Ave Bridge, travel south along bike trail to Pulpit Rock Campground. Pulpit Rock Campground will be plowed for pedestrians to walk loops around the campground and can return to 5th Ave bridge via the bike trail.
• Route #2: Freeport trail is plowed from Bowstring Bridge to the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Pedestrians can park in the parking lot by bowstring bridge or in the northwest corner of the Walmart Parking lot.

Ice Skating Rink

Temperatures are cold enough to begin flooding the ice rink for skating! Staff are currently working on ski trails, but we hope to begin putting water on the rink later today. Once this process begins it usually takes about a week before the ice rink is reading for skating.

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!