Decorah Parks and Recreation

09/14/2026

As we kick off a new week, I wanted to send all of our Pool Patrons a BIG THANK YOU for an AWESOME 2026 Pool Season!! From lessons, to open hours, aqua size classes, pool parties, and more, we appreciate everyone coming to our pool this summer and we hope you had a great time! Also I would like to send a huge thank you to all of our lifeguards, concessions workers, and our administrative workers (Kathy Guyer - Pool Manager, Brian Jones - Lifeguard and Maintenance, Mark Ryan - Maintenance)! Kathy, Brian, and Mark were AMAZING this summer and put in many hours in preparing for the season starting in March, keeping up with day to day operations throughout the summer, and now entering the closing procedures of the season. The pool runs because of those 3!! Thank you for all your hard work! Happy Fall!!

09/10/2026

❕Progress Report❕

The vision for the Rowley Sports Complex is continuing to take shape!

Construction is moving forward, and several important features are now becoming visible throughout the site. Field fencing is being installed, helping define the future ballfields and bringing the athletic spaces one step closer to completion.

Work is also progressing on the eight pickleball courts, with the foundation work underway. These courts will provide a new recreational opportunity for residents of all ages and are an exciting part of the overall complex.

Stay tuned for more progress updates as construction continues!

09/09/2026

❗Updated Press Release❗

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Decorah Parks and Recreation
Press Contact: Marc Holtey, Parks and Recreation Director, 563-382-4158

Community Prairie (Southwest Quadrant) Woody Plants Spot Spraying

Decorah, IA (September 9, 2026) – Update
Spot spraying for woody plants including buckthorn scheduled for Thursday, September 10 has been postponed due to Monarch butterflies roosting in proximity to the treatment area.

Decorah, IA (September 4, 2026) - Update
Due to forecasted rain this afternoon and following the application guidelines for Garlon, the spot spraying scheduled today for the southwest quadrant of the Community Prairie is re-scheduled to Thursday, September 10.

Decorah, IA (September 1, 2026)

On Friday, September 4 (if conditions permit), the southwest quadrant of the Community Prairie will be spot sprayed for woody plants with a mixture of Milestone and Garlon to reduce the proliferation of woody plant species including buckthorn.

The area will be closed until the re-entry period of 24 hours, and signage will remain up for 96 hours with additional information regarding the application.

This is an official city press release. Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author. Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Decorah Parks and Recreation
Press Contact: Marc Holtey, Parks and Recreation Director, 563-382-4158

Community Prairie (Southwest Quadrant) Woody Plants Spot Spraying

Decorah, IA (September 4, 2026) - Update
Due to forecasted rain this afternoon and following the application guidelines for Garlon, the spot spraying scheduled today for the southwest quadrant of the Community Prairie is re-scheduled to Thursday, September 10.

Decorah, IA (September 1, 2026)

On Friday, September 4 (if conditions permit), the southwest quadrant of the Community Prairie will be spot sprayed for woody plants with a mixture of Milestone and Garlon to reduce the proliferation of woody plant species including buckthorn.

The area will be closed until the re-entry period of 24 hours, and signage will remain up for 96 hours with additional information regarding the application.

This is an official city press release. Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author. Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

09/09/2026

Spots are still available for these two programs!

🎨Art in the Park
Get creative with fun, hands-on art projects while exploring a new park each week!

⚽After School GamePlan
Games, activities, challenges, and plenty of fun! A great way for kids to stay active, make friends, and enjoy their afternoons.

https://decorahparkrec.activityreg.com/selectActivity

09/08/2026

Our Decorah Community Prairie and Butterfly Garden are full of beautiful native plants, flowers, and seeds—and we’re so glad to see people enjoying these spaces.

A friendly reminder: please do not harvest or collect plants, flowers, or seeds from these areas. We want to keep the plants in place so they can continue to provide food and habitat for pollinators and wildlife, while also allowing everyone in our community to enjoy them.

But don’t worry—you’ll have a chance to collect seeds!
We’ll be hosting a Community Prairie Harvest later this fall, where community members will be invited to help collect seeds from designated areas and take some home!

More details about the Harvest will be shared as we get closer. In the meantime, please enjoy the prairie, take photos, watch the pollinators, and leave the plants where they are growing.

Thank you for helping us care for Decorah’s natural spaces!

09/07/2026

09/05/2026

Photos from our Monarch Butterfly Tagging event Wednesday!

Thank you to all who attended and those who helped make the event possible 🦋