 Jump into Fourth of July activities with Iowa City Park and Recreation! This year, ICPR has lots of great events planned to satisfy the whole family.
The celebration begins at Mercer Park Aquatic Center, 2107 Bradford Drive, with free Tot Time from 9-11:30 a.m. for youth ages 2-7. Tot Time includes access to the inflatable bounce houses, play games, ride scooters, or climb on the traverse wall. After that, stick around for free roller skating for all ages from noon-4 p.m. Looking for some outdoor fun? Participants can also check out tennis and pickleball equipment to try out at the new Mercer Park courts.
At City Park, ICPR will offer free amusement rides from 1-7 p.m., and admission to City Park pool will be half-off all day long. Plus, kids can unleash their inner artist by drawing with chalk on the deck (chalk provided by ICPR).
All of this and more is waiting for you and your family on July 4, 2017.
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Swim Scholarship benefit Ping Pong Tournament
Show off your Ping Pong skills for a good cause! Register now for the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Swim Scholarship Fundraiser Ping Pong Tournament on Sunday, July 9 from 4-8 p.m. at Big Grove Brewery & Taproom in Iowa City, 1225 S. Gilbert St.
Register online at http://bit.ly/2taLucC.
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 The new Iowa City Parks System Master Plan will be presented to the Parks Commission during the July 12 meeting at 5 p.m. at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, and the public is invited to attend.
The master plan process began at the end October 2016 with a series of community focus groups geared at soliciting feedback on current facilities to determine accessibility and maintenance concerns, as well as gauging desired amenities. A public input open house was held in conjunction with the Iowa City Holiday Market on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center.
The goal of the plan is to shape the park system and facilities in their role as gathering spaces for the Iowa City community.
View the full Parks and Recreation Commission agenda here:
https://www.icgov.org/city-government/boards/parks-and-recreation-commission
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 Construction is underway on the new Riverfront Crossings Park, 1101 S. Clinton St.
Phase one will focus on restoration of Ralston Creek, wetland creation, trail connections to the surrounding neighborhoods, a bridge connection to 2nd St., and the addition of a new parking area at the north end of the park. The majority of the work is set for completion in the fall, with the parking area construction expected to be completed in spring 2018.
The work will include grading, as well as tree removal along the Iowa River Trail and Ralston Creek. Priority will be given to keeping at least one trail open in the park throughout construction, however temporary closures may occur. In the event there are closures, alerts will be posted on the Iowa City Parks and Recreation website, icgov.org/pr.
The Riverfront Crossings Park master plan was completed in May, 2015 and a public openhouse meeting discussing the first phase of the project was held Nov. 2, 2016.
To stay up-to-date on all Iowa City park planning projects, visit icgov.org/parksrecmasterplan.
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The new Creekside Park plan, developed by Snyder and Associates, is scheduled for review by the Parks and Recreation Commission on July 12 at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center at 5 p.m. Construction on this project is planned for Summer 2018. A public input meeting was held on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at the Creekside Park Shelter, 1858 7th Ave Ct. with a remote commenting period that ended April 28.
View the Park plan here.
 K-6 Summer Playgrounds Program
Monday through Friday
June 12-August 4
9:30-11:30 am
Park Locations: Court Hill, Creekside, Fairmeadows, Highland, Mercer, North Market Square, Wetherby, and Willow Creek
Activities include: Games, arts and crafts, nature activities and special events for children completing grades K-6. There is no fee to participate, but children must be registered by an adult guardian on the first day of attendance at each site. Children may come and go as they please, so parents should use discretion. The Playgrounds program does not meet when it's raining and will close if rain begins after opening. The program will not be held July 4.
Teen Dynamics Summer Program
Monday through Friday • June 5-August 11 • 3-7:30 p.m. at Robert A. Lee Recreation Center
Activities include: Sports, crafts, gardening, field-trips and more for youth completing grades 7-12. No fee is required and enrollment is on-going. To register visit: http://bit.ly/2qPxgyt. NOTE: A parent or guardian should accompany the participant on the first evening they attend to fill out additional registration forms.
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 The City Park amusement rides opened for the 65th Anniversary season on Saturday, May 27, 2017. To celebrate this important anniversary, Iowa City Parks and Recreation is hosting several special events throughout the summer.
ANNIVERSARY EVENTS:
7/4/2017- Fourth of July
Free amusement park rides all day.
7/21/2017 – Old Fashioned Carnival
From 5-7 p.m., play carnival games and enjoy old fashioned snow cones and hot dogs – served at the end of the evening. All participants will receive one free ride on the historic City Park rides.
8/14 through 8/18/2017- Lazy Dayz of Summer
Swim at City Park pool from Aug. 14-18 and enjoy one free ride. Remember to pick up a ride card at the pool before you leave. Ride coupons are only valid during the week of the promotion, and are valid for one ride per person.
The regular season schedule is as follows:
- Park rides are open 1-7 p.m. daily, Saturday, May 27 through Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017
- After Aug. 20, rides are open from 1-6 p.m. on weekends only through Sunday, September 24.
Cost is $1 per ride or $8 for a 10-ride punch card.
To learn more about the history of the City Park Rides, view our brochure at http://bit.ly/2rNHUEH.
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 Connect with friends, family and neighbors this summer at Party in the Park. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy live music by Old Capitol String Band, games, arts and crafts, and frozen treats. Party in the Park is a no-fee event and is open to the public.
Sponsored by the City of Iowa City’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Neighborhood Outreach Division, Party in the Park gives residents a chance to enjoy their summer evenings outdoors with friends and family while exploring the City’s many beautiful natural spaces and neighborhoods.
July Party in the Park events:
7/6/17
Creekside Park — 1858 7th Avenue Court
Entertainment: Mike Haverkamp
7/13/17
Reno Street Park — 516 Reno St.
Entertainment: Pennies on the Rail
Eulenspiegel Puppet Theater performance at 5:30 p.m.
7/20/17
Mercer Park — 1317 Dover Street
Entertainment: Kathy Maxey & Larry Mossman
7/27/17
Glendale Park — 1250 E. Jefferson Street
Entertainment: Yahoo Drummers
View a the full schedule of events at www.icgov.org/pr.
We would like to spread the word
about a number of Parks and Recreation projects and initiatives. Contact us
if you need a speaker for your community group or organization.
Contact Juli at juli-sjohnson@iowa-city.org.
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