Take a look at all that Iowa City Parks and Recreation can offer you and your family this season. The Fall Recreation Activity Guide is now available online and will be available in hardcopy next week at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, 200 S. Gilbert St. and Mercer Park Aquatic Center/Scanlon Gym, 2701 Bradford Dr.

Online and in-person registration will open Wednesday, April 16, 2017 at 8 a.m. Please note the time that online registration begins this season. To offer improved customer service, the opening time for online registration has moved from midnight to 8 a.m. the day registration begins.

To register online, either set up your new ActiveNet account or to log into your existing account. You will be able to sign up and pay for classes online through the ActiveNet system.

In-person registration is available at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center and at the Mercer Park Aquatic Center/Scanlon Gym.

Aquacise uses water resistance for a low impact cardio and muscle toning workout. Try Aquacise for free on Sunday, August 13 at 10 a.m. at City Park pool. Complimentary bagels and coffee will be served after the class

At the Thursday, Aug. 3 Party in the Park event, ICPR unveiled the new Wetherby Park Sport Court, which is now open for public use.

The Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department launched the Wetherby Park sport court planning process in August 2016, which included a public input meeting held Sept. 28, 2016. Public comments, including suggestions from area youth, were incorporated into the plan. The court can accommodate many activities and lines have been painted for basketball and futsal use.

The project was supported through funds from a $75,000 Wellmark Foundation Community Health MATCH grant and Community Development Block Grant funds. The court was designed by Snyder & Associates, and constructed by LL Pelling.

The gymnasium at the Mercer Park Aquatic Center will be closed Monday, August 28 – Sunday, September 3, 2017 for annual floor maintenance.

Structural and architectural restoration of the two historic cabins located in City Park, 200 E. Park Rd., began on Monday, July 31, 2017. The restoration will include but not be limited to wood shake shingle roof replacement, structural and concrete foundation stabilization, carpentry for wood floors, windows and doors, as well as log replacement and repair.

The project was awarded to North Construction of Muscatine with Heritage Woodworks of Clemens as the subcontractor.

The cabins were built in 1889 and 1913, and are both on the National Register of Historic Places, meaning their restoration will follow strict historic guidelines within the plans and project manual.

Heritage Woodworks will carefully inventory, remove and transport both structures from the site to their warehouse in Clemens where the logs can be repaired in a controlled environment. Most of the cabin repairs will take place off-site throughout the winter and spring and will be reconstructed next summer with a final completion date of Oct. 1, 2018. 

The cabin project is supported in part by Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) funds administered by the Iowa Dept. of Cultural Affairs, a grant from the Community Foundation of Johnson County and private donations from Iowa City residents.

Construction on a new playground at Cardigan Park began last week.

The Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department launched the Cardigan Park planning process in Sept. 2016, with a public input meeting held on Sept. 7, 2016. Public comments were incorporated into the plan, which includes the addition of a new playground, shelter, fire pit, and a loop trail. 

Playground construction began Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017 at the park, which is located at 500 Huntington Dr. The shelter, fire pit, and trail construction is slated for spring 2018.  

To stay up-to-date on all Iowa City park planning projects, visit www.icgov.org/parksrecmasterplan.

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.

The City Park amusement rides opened for its 65th Anniversary season on Sat., May 27, 2017. To celebrate this important milestone, Iowa City Parks and Recreation is hosting several special events throughout the summer. 

August Anniversary Events:

8/11/2017 – Old Fashioned Carnival
From 5-7 p.m., play carnival games, ride the rides for free, and enjoy complimentary old fashioned snow cones and hot dogs – served at the end of the evening.

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.

We would like to spread the word about a number of Parks and Recreation projects and initiatives. If you need a speaker for your community group or organization, contact Juli at juli-sjohnson@iowa-city.org.