Increased outflows at Coralville Reservoir may cause minor flooding at trails and parks

Thursday, March 11, 2021 - 10:30am
Contact: 
Tyler Baird
Parks and Recreation

As the US Army Corps of Engineers temporarily increases the outflow at Coralville Lake, the public may notice a rise in the Iowa River water level. City officials are monitoring impacts on local trails and parks and will announce any closures as needed.

The increased outflow, combined with the forecast for rain, may temporarily close the Iowa River Trail at the Highway 6 underpass, located just south of Riverfront Crossings Park.

The Iowa River Trail connects North Liberty to Iowa City. Within Iowa City, the trail connects the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area to Terrill Mill...

Oakland Cemetery

Oakland Cemetery closed due to weather conditions

Monday, January 25, 2021 - 1:30pm
Contact: 
Russell Buffington
Parks and Recreation

Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City will close to the public Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. The cemetery will reopen to the public after snow from the predicted storm has been cleared and the area is accessible.

Snowfall over the weekend, coupled with foot and vehicle traffic, has produced icy conditions that crews are working to improve prior to the additional snowfall. For your safety, we ask that the public avoid the area until safe access is available. Gates will reopen when the snow from the storm has been removed.

Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department offers residents a paws-itively fun experience

Tuesday, January 19, 2021 - 10:30am
Contact: 
Brad Barker
Parks and Recreation

Furry friends are welcome at the next Iowa City Parks and Recreation special event. This paws-itively fun experience will offer residents a free and socially distant, family outing that is sure to entertain.

The Thornberry Dog Sweater Pawty will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. A socially-distanced dog sweater contest will begin at 2 p.m. and will include three judged categories, Most (P)ugly Sweater, Most Unique Sweater, and Best Friends Costume (human pup combo). A prize basket of dog goodies will be awarded to the winner of each category.

The...

City co-hosts several Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day events

Thursday, January 7, 2021 - 3:30pm
Contact: 
RaQuishia Harrington
Communications

The City of Iowa City has partnered with the University of Iowa and other local groups to create the 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration of Human Rights.

The celebration is made up of several socially-distanced or virtual events, volunteer opportunities, and more that serve to unite the community in a way Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. strived for, but with full COVID-19 precautions taken.

To see a full list of celebration events being organized on and around Martin Luther King Jr. Day, visit mlk.uiowa.edu ...

Trees after a winter snow

Parks announces tree removal and replanting at various locations

Friday, December 18, 2020 - 9:00am
Contact: 
Tyler Baird
Forestry

Parks announces tree removal and replanting at various locations

The Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department will be removing trees in several areas from now until spring. Please be advised that work can be delayed or shifted to future years depending upon other immediate priorities or inclement weather.

Court Hill Park, Normandy Drive neighborhood, Sturgis Ferry Park, and Rocky Shore Drive will all be impacted. Tree removals will begin as the ground freezes and will mainly consist of Ash trees beginning to fail due to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), trees damaged by the Derecho...

Mercer Park Aquatic Center Pool to reopening for lap swim reservations

Thursday, December 10, 2020 - 5:00pm
Contact: 
Brad Barker
Communications

Iowa City Parks & Recreation will be reopening Mercer Pool for reserved lap swim on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. Reservations will be available for 45-minute blocks from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Reservations are required and are available on an ongoing basis from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020.

Both residents of Iowa City and non-residents can make reservations, which cost $4 per lane per block. Reservations will be for 45-minute lap swimming or water walking blocks for adults 16-years or older. Parents or guardians of children between the ages of 12...

REAP grant logo.

Iowa City Parks and Recreation awarded $90K REAP grant

Tuesday, November 10, 2020 - 1:00pm
Contact: 
Juli Seydell Johnson
Parks and Recreation

The Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department has been awarded a grant of $90,500 from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program. This is the 12th REAP grant Iowa City Parks and Recreation has recently received.

REAP invests in projects that enhance and protect Iowa’s natural and cultural resources. In the program, 15% of REAP is set aside for grants to cities, while 20% is set aside for county conservation boards for projects that help establish natural areas, and encouraging outdoor recreation and resource management.

The...

Mark your calendars for the annual Iowa City Holiday Market

Thursday, November 5, 2020 - 9:00am
Contact: 
Tammy Neumann
Communications

This year, the Iowa City Holiday Market will be held one day only, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert Street.

Attendees can expect many of the same holiday vendors as in the past, but some changes will be made this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fewer shoppers will be allowed into the recreation center at a time to help limit capacity. The market layout will be reconfigured with fewer vendors to allow for more space and social distancing. Additionally, temperature screenings and face coverings will be...

Graphic for Halloween Drive-In on Oct. 30, 2020.

Enjoy the Halloween season with a drive-in movie experience at Mercer Park

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 - 3:30pm
Contact: 
Brad Barker
Parks and Recreation

Load up the car and step back in time at Halloween at the Drive-In, presented by the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department, on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. This nostalgic experience will offer residents a free and socially distanced, family Halloween-themed outing that is sure to entertain.

A double feature of Halloween movies will be presented, with the first showing aimed at a younger audience. Gates will open at 6 p.m. for the 6:30 p.m. showing of “Hotel Transylvania.” Later, “Goosebumps” will follow with gates opening at 8:05 p.m. for the 8:35 p.m. showing.

The drive-in...

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