Various dogs in sweaters are shown.

Thornberry Dog Sweater Pawty set for March 5

Friday, February 25, 2022 - 2:30pm
Contact: 
Brad Barker
Parks and Recreation

The Iowa City Parks & Recreation Department is hosting a Dog Sweater Pawty from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Thornberry Dog Park, 1867 Foster Road.

The dog sweater contest will begin at 2 p.m. and will include three judged categories:

Most (P)ugly Sweater Most Unique Sweater Best Friends Costume (Dog and Human Combo)

Sweaters and costumes may be homemade or store-bought; but as always, creativity will be key!

Each dog may be entered into one category and will be registered upon entrance. There is no registration fee. A prize will be awarded to the...

Iowa City Parks and Recreation seeks feedback on future of recreation facilities and programs

Thursday, January 20, 2022 - 8:15am
Contact: 
Brad Barker

Iowa City Parks and Recreation is requesting additional community feedback to help us reimagine recreation. A new comprehensive needs assessment survey on the future of recreation facilities and programs in Iowa City is now available for input. The information generated from this study will be used to create the Gather Here Recreation Master Plan. This plan will gather input from the public, examine existing facilities, and provide guidance for the future facility improvements and recreation programming in the following areas:

Existing recreation facilities ...

Mercer Park Aquatic Center to reopen Jan. 17; updated hours announced for City's indoor pools

Thursday, January 13, 2022 - 2:00pm
Contact: 
Brad Barker
Communications

After an extensive dehumidification project at Mercer Park Aquatic Center, the facility is planned to reopen to the public on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

Along with the reopening, hours for both Robert A. Lee Recreation Center and Mercer Park pools have been updated. Pool schedules at both facilities now include hours listed as ‘open’ rather than designated for a specific type of swim activity. Sections of each pool will be signed for the appropriate use.

The new hours can be found at www.icgov.org/pools .

Upcoming temporary...

I map of temporary trail closure.

Temporary closures south of Highway 6 on Iowa River Trail

Thursday, December 9, 2021 - 3:00pm
Contact: 
Tyler Baird
Parks and Recreation

Temporary closures on the Iowa River Trail will start Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, as the CRANDIC Railroad completes work on the truss bridge.

The trail will be closed intermittently on Mondays through Saturdays while crews are on site. The trail will be open on Sundays and during times outside the CRANDIC Railroad work schedule.

Signage will be placed near Napoleon Park alerting trail users of the closure. Iowa City trail users should follow the detour on South Gilbert Street.

A photo shows the City High baseball field at Mercer Park.

Iowa City Parks & Recreation Department holds national record for most Athletic Field Environmental Certifications

Tuesday, December 7, 2021 - 3:00pm
Contact: 
Tyler Baird
Parks and Recreation

An Environmentally Responsible Management certification has been earned by the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department from the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA.) This achievement is a credit to the parks and forestry staff who have established environmental best practices throughout all the Iowa City's outdoor sports facilities, Mercer Park ball diamonds, and City Park ball diamonds.

The environmental stewardship program certification is valid for three years and was awarded to each facility when they achieved a minimum of 80% compliance in each of the 10 categories that...

REAP grant logo.

$200K REAP grant awarded to Iowa City Parks and Recreation

Tuesday, November 23, 2021 - 12:00pm
Contact: 
Juli Seydell Johnson
Parks and Recreation

The Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program. This is the 13th REAP grant Iowa City Parks and Recreation has recently received.

REAP invests in projects that enhance and protect Iowa’s natural and cultural resources. REAP funds are distributed into eight different programs: roadside vegetation, historical resources, state land management, city parks and open space, soil and water enhancement, county conservation, and state open space.

The...

Thank you for providing feedback for the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Monday, November 22, 2021 - 12:00pm
Contact: 
Juli Seydell Johnson
Parks and Recreation

Iowa City Parks and Recreation has wrapped up the first phase of public engagement for the Gather Here Recreation Master Plan. During the first phase, the department collected public feedback through in-person planned and pop-up events, passive feedback opportunities, and through online surveys and discussion boards. Over 1,000 responses were received.

The first engagement phase also included a series of community focus groups. Additionally, a statistically valid survey has been mailed to 400 random Iowa City residences. These mailed surveys are an integral part of the master...

Mercer Park Aquatic Center closed during construction

Mercer Park Aquatic Center pool closure extended

Monday, November 15, 2021 - 11:45am
Contact: 
Juli Seydell Johnson
Parks and Recreation

The Mercer Park Aquatic Center pool closure previously scheduled from Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 through Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2021 has been extended.

Mercer Park Aquatic Center pool, located at 2701 Bradford Drive, will remain closed through Jan. 17, 2022. Delays are due to supply chain issues with the dehumidification unit and labor shortages in the local construction market.

The Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center pool, located at 220 S. Gilbert Street, will remain open for lap and open swim. View the pool schedule online at icgov.org/...

Parks and Recreation logo.

Iowa City Parks and Recreation receives generous donation from Procter & Gamble

Monday, November 8, 2021 - 9:30am
Contact: 
Juli Seydell Johnson
Parks and Recreation

The Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department will soon receive several Koala Kare changing stations, thanks to a donation from Pampers of Procter and Gamble.

The changing tables will be installed in several of the City's public restrooms so that caregivers who stop by these facilities are better equipped to manage baby care on the go.

The 28 changing tables are expected to arrive in the next few months, allowing staff to install them over the winter and spring months.

Procter and Gamble has benefited the Iowa City area by contributing to projects that help the...

A map that shows trail closures along the Iowa River.

Iowa River Trail reopened

Tuesday, November 2, 2021 - 8:30am
Contact: 
Juli Seydell Johnson
Parks and Recreation

Update: The Iowa River Trail is now open. The previously closed portion of the trail that spanned from Highway 6 south to McCollister Boulevard was damaged from heavy rains and the failure of a stormwater structure under the trail which undermined a large portion of the trail.

Original news release: July 12, 2021

Iowa River Trail is closed south of Highway 6 as recent heavy rains have washed out areas under the trail. The trail will remain closed until repairs can be made.

Closure signage is placed south of Highway 6 where the...

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