The Environmental Education Center was built in 2011 and is also home to the Friends of Historic Preservation’s Salvage Barn, the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, ReStore and Furniture Project, and a comprehensive recycling drop-off area. The Environmental Education Center is certified as a LEED® Platinum facility, showcasing waste reduction and recycling, stormwater management techniques, energy reduction, and renewable energy and green building practices.
The Environmental Education Center is a 1,250 square foot all-season event venue. The location is the perfect size for a meeting, company gathering, family reunion, or other functions. The venue can accommodate around 50 guests at tables or classroom-style seating or up to 75 in an informal reception setting. Sixteen 6’ x 2’ rectangular tables and 50 chairs are provided. The upper outdoor patio is 700 square feet and the lower patio seating area is 400 square feet.
The site includes a 1/3 acre stormwater bio-cell system planted with native Iowa flowers, grasses, and shrubs. Signage is provided to educate guests about various stormwater management practices, alternative energy, and other site features. Guests are invited to explore the plantings but must stay on the grass and designated walkways.
The Ned Ashton House was built in 1947 by Edward L. “Ned” Ashton as a private residence. Ashton, who has been called “the most distinguished bridge engineer in the history of Iowa,” was a professor of civil engineering at the University of Iowa from 1943 to 1957. He designed several bridges over the Mississippi River, as well as smaller bridges, such as the Benton Street Bridge, and was a pioneer in the design of welded plate girder bridges.
The Ashton House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Jan. 26, 2001. In October 2011, the City of Iowa City purchased the home through the CDBG Acquisition Program for public use. As part of the requirements for purchasing this home, the City agreed to develop a plan that would preserve the historic nature of the home and help protect it from future flooding. The Ashton House accommodates up to 100 people for meetings, reunions, parties, weddings, and receptions.
The Park Lodge is located at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area, one of the City’s parks and recreation complexes. The lodge is a 5,870 square foot year-round venue that seats up to 170 occupants. Amenities include tables and chairs, a kitchen with stove, refrigerator, freezer, and microwave, a gas fireplace, and a patio overlooking the lake. It is possible to divide the room into sections that will accommodate 85 occupants each. Each of the sections is 1,390 square feet.
The facility is available for rentals daily from 7 a.m. to midnight. The applicant, guests, and all staff (including catering staff) must exit the building and park by midnight. Overnight rentals are not permitted.
Reservations are taken year-round. Reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance, with the exception of weddings/receptions which may be made up to 24 months in advance. Full deposit is due at the time of the reservation with the rental fee being due no less than 60 days prior to your event date.
Perhaps the City’s most unique facility, the Riverside Festival Stage, is located in Lower City Park. It is a 472-seat outdoor theatre, which is modeled after the famous Globe Theatre in London. The facility was the brainchild of Riverside Theatre, ultimately endorsed by both the Parks and Recreation Commission and the City Council. The Riverside Festival Stage is a Shakespearean-style, outdoor theatre facility complete with a stage, two dressing rooms, and a concession stand. The Riverside Festival Stage is available to rent for any appropriate purpose, from weddings to concerts.
The stage is available May 1 through Oct. 1 each year and can be reserved between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. The rental fee is $75 per hour for the stage and two dressing rooms; or $100 per hour for the stage, dressing rooms and concession stand. A refundable deposit is also required; $250 if no alcohol will be served or $500 if alcohol will be served.
To reserve the facility, complete the application for use of the Riverside Festival Stage and either fax to 319-356-5487 or scan and email to eventfacilities@iowa-city.org.
Reservations for park shelters may be made as early as one year in advance, but no later than 5 days in advance of intended use. If you desire to use a shelter but missed the 5-day advance reservation cut-off, open-air shelters are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Payment is required at the time of reservation. Fees vary according to the size of the shelter. Shelters are available for rent year-round, however, restroom and water facilities are only available May-October, barring any weather-related setbacks to that timeline. Enclosed shelters are only available May-October. Online Athletic Field reservations go through the system first as a request, pending supervisor approval. Refund and reservation changes must be requested 3 business days in advance of the reservation. Refunds will not be issued in the event of inclement weather.
Reserve a park shelter or athletic field online or call 319-356-5100.
You are required to fill out an additional form if your event includes any of the following:
More than 100 people in attendance*
Amplified sound*
Use of large equipment including but not limited to inflatables, staging equipment, generators, etc.*
Use of surrounding streets or trails*
Call 319-356-5034 for instructions on how to access the public assembly form and schedule your event.
Gymnasium - $45/hour Swimming Pool - Call for details Kitchen - $32/3 hours
Mercer Park Aquatic Center & Scanlon Gym
2701 Bradford Drive
Procter & Gamble Room
Maximum occupancy: 50
Fee: $46/3 hours
Mercer Meeting Room
Maximum occupancy: 20
Fee: $26/3 hours
Mercer Wellness Room
Maximum occupancy 30
Fee: $30/3 hours
Gymnasium - 1 court $45/hour or 2 courts $75/hour
Audio/video equipment must be supplied by the individual or group reserving the space. Rental groups are responsible for set-up and take-down of their events, as well as rental/removal of any equipment beyond the existing tables and chairs within these facilities.
Reserve a recreation center meeting room online or call 319-356-5100.
