Logo for the Resource Enhancement and Protection program from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

City receives $200K grant from DNR for Terry Trueblood restoration

Thursday, October 17, 2019 - 12:00pm
Contact: 
Juli Seydell Johnson
Parks and Recreation

Iowa City has received a $200,000 REAP grant for ecological restoration work at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area.

The grant funds will be used to remove invasive species and promote woodland restoration in the area of Terry Trueblood, 579 McCollister Boulevard, between the lake and the Iowa River.

Similar REAP grants were received in 2017 and 2018 for ecological restoration work in Hickory Hill Park. The Iowa City 2017 Natural Areas Plan prioritized these sites as unique and important natural areas for Iowa City residents.

REAP invests in projects that enhance and...

A pumpkin.

“Green” your Halloween this year

Thursday, October 17, 2019 - 8:15am
Contact: 
Jane Wilch

Have fun this Halloween season while keeping the environment in mind. Here are a few tips to consider as you prepare for your Halloween festivities:

1. Show your Halloween spirit with durable, reusable, and recyclable decorations.

Choose decorations that you can use year after year. For recyclable decorations, look for plastics that are #1-5 or #7, as #6 and unlabeled plastics are not recyclable. Avoid metallic or glitter-coated decorations, as these cannot be recycled. Questions? Check out icgov.org/recycle ...
Poster for the IC Climate Expo at Big Grove Brewery IC

City announces Climate Action event: IC Climate Expo at Big Grove

Wednesday, October 16, 2019 - 3:30pm

The City will be hosting a new event: the IC Climate Expo at Big Grove Brewery.

The Expo will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, at Big Grove Brewery Iowa City, 1225 S. Gilbert St. This event will update the community on local initiatives and showcase findings following the City's 100-Day Study of its new emissions goals, and the accelerated community-based actions need to make them achievable.

The City adopted higher emissions goals after the City declared a Climate Crisis in August. The new carbon emissions goals are a 45% reduction of 2010 levels by 2030,...

Map of UI Homecoming Parade.

UI Homecoming street closures, parking and transit impacts

Tuesday, October 15, 2019 - 9:15am
Contact: 
Shannon McMahon
Communications

More than 15,000 Hawkeye fans will line the streets of Downtown Iowa City on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, for the annual University of Iowa Homecoming Parade.

The parade will begin at 5:45 p.m., but expect street closures, parking restrictions and changes to the City’s transit routes earlier in the day.

Traffic in the Downtown area will be heavy beginning around 3 p.m. as parade entries and attendees arrive. Commuters and other drivers who do not plan to attend the parade are advised to plan ahead and find alternate routes out of Downtown to help avoid delays.

Parade...
Proclamation for Indigenous People's Day.

Mayor declares Indigenous People's Day in Iowa City

Monday, October 14, 2019 - 10:00am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Communications

Iowa City Mayor James Throgmorton has proclaimed Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, as Indigenous People's Day in Iowa City.

A growing number of local governments have recognized that, as our understanding of history changes, so must our commemorative events. In the proclamation signed at the Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, City Council meeting, Mayor Throgmorton encouraged schools to include the teaching of Indigenous Peoples’ history in its curriculum and encouraged businesses, organizations, and institutions to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Learn more about...

Video Update: Leaf Vacuum, Human Rights Awards, and more

Monday, October 14, 2019 - 7:30am
Contact: 
Jack Brooks
Communications

Iowa City Update is a weekly video featuring City of Iowa City projects, programs and events. Topics this week include a the start of the City’s leaf vacuum program, an event recognizing those who fight for human rights, and more. Click the image below to watch Iowa City Update .

Iowa City Update: Leaf Vacuum Program Leaf Vacuum Program

Let the City help make cleaning up leaves a breeze!...

A graphic for the Halloween Parade and Carnival.

STEAM Halloween Trick or Treat Parade and Carnival coming to Mercer Park

Thursday, October 10, 2019 - 11:30am
Contact: 
Joyce Carroll
Parks and Recreation
An Iowa City Halloween tradition is getting a fun and educational twist to it this year.

The annual Halloween Trick or Treat Parade and Carnival, 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, 2019 at Mercer Park and Aquatic Center, 2701 Bradford Dr., will be a STEAM Halloween event.

By embracing the spooky fun of the holiday and wrapping it like a mummy in science, technology, engineering, art, and math, the beloved, free annual event will be both entertaining and educational for kids.

Like past years, costumed kids will gather at 6 p.m., and the parade will start at 6:15. The carnival itself...

City staff and a UI doctor stand in front of a UI Health Clinic.

City, UI collaboration aims to help kids become more active

Wednesday, October 9, 2019 - 10:30am
Contact: 
Tracy Hightshoe
Neighborhood and Development Services
From left to right: Ryan Krastoska and Brad Barker, Parks and Recreation, Dr. Meredith Fishbane-Gordon, Tracy Hightshoe, Neighborhood and Development Services.

The City of Iowa City is working with the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and College of Public Health to improve the health of Iowa City’s youngest residents.

A new collaboration, called Community Prescriptions, was formed to develop ways to increase activity in young children ages 2 to 12, while also getting kids outdoors and using their neighborhood parks and trails.

In August, 350 Hit the...

Graphic for Trick or Treating.

Trick-or-Treat Night, Halloween events announced

Tuesday, October 8, 2019 - 10:00am
Contact: 
Joyce Carroll
Parks and Recreation

Iowa City will celebrate its official Trick or Treat Night on Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, from 5:30 until 8 p.m. In the meantime, the Parks and Recreation Department has loads of other spooktacular fun planned for the season.

STEAM Halloween Parade and Carnival: Friday, Oct. 25

Tricksters of all ages are invited to meet at 6 p.m. at the Mercer Park Aquatic Center, 2701 Bradford Dr., dressed in their Halloween attire. Participants will then parade around the park and into the Mercer Park Aquatic Center for the carnival, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m....

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