Recreation
The Parks & Recreation Department office is located at 724 Cedar Street in the Fitz Museum house. The site is used for program registration, program meetings, park Board meetings, and public meetings. We invite you to stop by for upcoming program information and registration. The City of Iowa Falls is committed to providing quality leisure opportunities in parks and recreation services. Please take a few moments to review the activities provided by our department.
SPRING/SUMMER
Youth Activities
Little Goal Kickers, Youth Soccer, T-Ball, Baseball & Softball, Jr. High Baseball/Softball, Foster Park Fun, Youth Tennis & Golf Lessons, and Intramural Sand Volleyball
Adult Activities
Softball Leagues, Sand Volleyball League, and Tennis League
Senior Programs
Breakfast in the Park and Walk and Talk Club
Special Events
Hershey Track Meet (ages 9 -14 years old)
Riverbend Rally
FALL/WINTER
Youth Activities
Flag Football, Youth Volleyball, and Youth Basketball. Special Activities include Punt, Pass and Throw, Open Gym, and Holiday Open Gym, Hot Shot Contest, Turkey Shoot, Ice-Skating, and Junior High Ski Trip.
Adult Activities
Adult Flag Football "6 on 6", Women's Volleyball, 3 on 3 Basketball, "New" Couples Volleyball, Co-Rec Volleyball, and 5 on 5 Basketball.
To register for an activity or for more information, contact:
Iowa Falls Park & Rec Department at 641/648-3691
or City of Iowa Falls at 641/648-2527
Iowa Falls Rugby Club
Scenic City Empress
Iowa Falls has a number of recreation and entertainment opportunities for the entire family. The Iowa Falls Parks & Recreation department provides a wide variety of programs and services to area residents. The Iowa River is the perfect setting for year round outdoor activities. The recently completed Meyer Aquatic Center provides water recreation for residents of all ages and skill level.
Meyer Aquatic Center is located in Jones Park on Rocksylvania Avenue. The aquatic center is designed as a leisure pool incorporating a zero-depth entry, interactive equipment, fountains, bubblers, a diving area, waterslides and areas for recreational, instructional and competitive swimming. The leisure pool design also provides a sand play area, grass areas, and expanded deck areas. Plans are also established to develop passive and active leisure activities that will allow the pool to be a year-round facility. Examples are ice skating, miniature golf, and a scenic view of the Iowa River Palisades.
Calkins Interpretive Center serves the purpose of promoting conservative education to Hardin County and north central Iowa. The building consists of a multi-purpose room and kitchen that is available for rent, a laboratory/classroom facility, gift shop, library/conference room, and a natural history museum. Area schools, non-profit organizations, businesses, and other agencies benefit from increased awareness of environmental education and conservation of IowaÕs natural resources.
The nature center area contains 76 acres, which consists of woodland, wetland, and reconstructed native prairie and is bordered by the Iowa River. A popular attraction is a live wildlife exhibit featuring over 80 different species of animal including pheasants, waterfowl, fallow deer, raptors, amphibians, and reptiles. A system of two miles of trails provides access to the nature area for outdoor enthusiasts of all types. An arboretum is also located near the prairie.
For more information contact:
Calkins Nature Area
Phone/FAX: 641/648-9878
Email: calkinsna@hotmail.com
Directions to Calkins Nature Area: On Washington Avenue, at the west city limits, turn south at the National Guard Armory onto Georgetown Road. Follow the signs on 135th Street to the nature area (approximately 3 miles).
The Iowa River affords good boating, fishing, water skiing and ice-skating. Two public boat ramps are available. DouganÕs Landing is located near the River Street Bridge. Weaver Cove, located on River Road, offers another easily accessible boat ramp.
Iowa Falls is part of the Iowa River Greenbelt, a 30-mile stretch of wilderness along the river that provides camping, canoeing, fishing and hiking opportunities. The river is also popular for boating and skiing activities. There are over 100 acres of parks in Iowa Falls, several of which are located along the river. The natural scenery of the parks, the cliffs and the river have given Iowa Falls the well-deserved nickname of the "Scenic City".
Assembly Park sets on eight acres joining the Iowa River. There are three tennis courts, a basketball court, two shelter houses, washrooms, shuffle board and horseshoe pitching area, playground equipment and foot trails.
Dougan's Landing is located on River Street and provides a boat dock and river access. Ellsworth Park sets on nine acres on Park Avenue on the city's southeast side and includes a log cabin, playground equipment, primitive restrooms and a storage building.
Estes Park is in the middle of downtown Iowa Falls and includes the famous Bill Riley Band Shell, playground equipment, and fountain. During the summer there is live entertainment and the park is the focal point for the Annual River Bend Rally celebration.
Fitz Riverbend Park is the site of the Fitz Museum and Park and Recreation Department Offices, parking area, wastewater station and river access.
Foster Park sits on eleven acres on Dale Drive and has access to the Iowa River. There are two shelter houses; washrooms, basketball court, sand volleyball court; playground equipment, fishing and 1/3 mile paved circle drive.
Jones Park includes the Meyer Municipal Aquatic Center and playground. The park also features the Rainbow Arched Bridge.
Julia O'Neil Park has a basketball court, a shelter house and restrooms, playground equipment and a baseball diamond.
Legion Field is seven acres that include two baseball diamonds with a third diamond under development, concessions stands and bleachers.
North Park provides a playground area, a basketball court, arboretum, and a walking bridge.
Oak Park sets on six acres and includes a basketball court, playground equipment and restrooms.
Scenic City Playground is behind the Pineview Elementary School and features Castles for Kids, a large-scale playground with wood and rubber play equipment, which was constructed by volunteer community labor in 1994.
Weaver's Cove provides access to the river and a boat dock which was acquired with REAP funds.
Other parks include Linear Park, Main Street Park, Rock Run Park and Sunnyside Park.
Iowa Falls also offers numerous private recreational opportunities. Our community offers an active Rugby club, two nine-hole golf courses, bowling alley, two wellness centers, racquetball, indoor swimming, and scenic biking along the Iowa River.
Highland Golf & Country Club 641/648-4021
Meadow Hills Golf Course 641/648-4421
Pla-Mor Bowl 641/648-9740
Ellsworth Community College Wellness Center 641/648-4611
Ellsworth Municipal Hospital Wellness Center 641/648-4631
