Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation News

November 4, 2022

Events & Programs

FULL MOON HIKE

(All Ages)

Tuesday, Nov. 8 | 7-8 PM

Jones Park Clubhouse

THANKSGIVING SWIM

(All Ages)

Wednesday, Nov. 23 | 1-4 PM

Bender Pool

FREE

STORY TIME NATURE WALK

(Ages 3-5 with Adult)

Monday, Dec. 5 | 10-11 AM

Ushers Ferry Lodge

GREENHOUSE LIGHTS & BLOOMS:

A Tropical Holiday Adventure

(All Ages)

Thursday, Dec. 1 | 5-7 PM

Noelridge Greenhouse

OFFICIAL CITY TREE LIGHTING

(All Ages)

Saturday, Dec. 3 | 4:30-5:30 PM

Greene Square

DROP-IN OPEN GYM/GAME ROOM

Youth (6-17): Mon - Fri, 3-5 PM

Adult (18+): Mon - Fri, 1-3 PM

Youth & Adult: Sat - Sun, 1-4 PM

Northwest Recreation Center

Daily Drop-in Fee:

$1 Youth, $2 Adult, or pass

BOOMERS & BEYOND

COFFEE & PINOCHLE

(Ages 50+)

Wednesdays/Fridays, Year-round

Noon-4 PM

Northwest Recreation Center

FREE

Play CR - the Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation program guide - is available online. Look for activities and

events for all ages and abilities.

Our CR, the City's quarterly magazine with Play CR inside, will mail the week of November 9.

Tony Ireland Joins Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation Management Team

Tony Ireland has joined the Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation Department's management team as the Recreation Services Superintendent. He was born and raised a proud Cedar Rapidian, and has some familiarity already with all the great programs and facilities we have to offer the community.

Tony earned a B.A in Sports Management and a B.A. in Marketing from St. Ambrose University and went on to earn his M.A. in Leisure Studies (Recreation and Sport Administration) from the University of Iowa. He is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) through the National Parks and Recreation Association and a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) through the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance. He previously held the position of Recreation Supervisor for the City of Marion Parks and Recreation Department for over nine years.

"I am excited for this opportunity to return to the community that I’ve called home for the last three decades and make a positive impact in the community. I’m very much looking forward to getting to know and work with the dedicated and CAPRA accredited Parks and Recreation team to make sure that everyone has access to safe, affordable, and quality programs."

Tony resides in NW Cedar Rapids with his wife (Sara), daughter (Addyson), three dogs (Lucy, Phoebe, Luna) and one cat (Hazel).

Newly Planted Trees Need to be Watered as Winter Sets In

The ground is bone dry and a very cold La Nina winter pattern is predicted. Cold, dry winter winds will desiccate the stems of your young trees unless the rootzones have good moisture going into the winter to support the above ground portion of the young tree. This is why drought going into a cold winter is so hard on trees that are not well established.

If you planted new trees this year, and even last fall, slow soak them from a five gallon bucket every week (without adequate rainfall) until the ground freezes.

The fun never stops!

Community Garden Survey

The City of Cedar Rapids is undertaking an exciting community-driven planning process to add to the network of community gardens in parks across the City. The City’s efforts to expand garden spaces will begin with new plots at Sinclair Park in Spring 2023. The next phase of the planning process will include the prioritization and garden design of community gardens in seven to ten additional City parks.

Currently, we are seeking feedback from the community to understand interest in community gardens and the garden elements most attractive to Cedar Rapids' residents. Learn more and provide your input at CityofCR.com/Gardens. The survey will be open through November 2022.

Take the Survey

Bever Park Tree Planting and Parks Foundation Donation

The Bever Park Neighborhood Association, with assistance from the Cedar Rapids Parks Foundation, City Councilmembers, and City staff, planted 179 tree seedlings in Bever Park near the Zoo Hill Pavilion on Saturday, October 29. This was the first planting in a City park of seedlings that have been grown in gravel beds. The Parks and Recreation Department began growing trees in gravel beds last June as a pilot project to provide an additional source of tree stock for parks. Trees planted in gravel beds are less expensive to produce and contain substantially more root mass than field-grown tree seedlings. The Bever Neighborhood Association has been an advocate of replanting, especially in the wooded areas within Bever Park.

As part of the event, the City of Cedar Rapids received a $25,000 donation from the Cedar Rapids Parks Foundation to support ongoing reforestation of parks. The donation will assist in purchasing supplies including tree tubes, tree stakes, gator bags, and seedlings. Funds raised by the Parks Foundation have been previously used to purchase four water wagons to assist with tree planting and care. The efforts of the Parks Foundation this year support ReLeaf Cedar Rapids.

Open Kayak/Canoe Practice

Practice your skills (strokes and rolls) in the controlled environment of Bender Pool from 4:30-6:30 PM on the following Sundays: November 13, November 27, December 12, January 8, January 22, February 5, February 19, and March 5. This drop-in program for ages 10 and up is co-sponsored by Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation and Linn County Conservation. No registration is required. Experienced paddlers will be on hand to offer tips and suggestions. Bring your own equipment.

Thanksgiving Break: Sign Up for the Fall NERF Tactical

Blow off some steam this Thanksgiving break! Grab your friends and NERF gear and head out to Ushers Ferry on Wednesday, November 23, from 9 AM to Noon. Learn NERF safety and strategy, and then break into teams to play "Capture the Flag" and other games. This program is for ages 9-14. The fee is $17 for residents and $21 for non-residents.

Register Now

Ellis Clubhouse and Event Center Rentals

The beautiful, modern Ellis Clubhouse and Event Center is available to rent year-round for your corporate outing, birthday party, family event, or reception. The 2,100-square-foot event center overlooks the beautiful Ellis Golf Course. It is fully ADA-accessible with seating for up to 120 people indoors and an additional overflow space for 40 outdoors on the patio.

For more information and to book your event, contact Mark McMahon, 319-286-5589, m.mcmahon@cedar-rapids.org.

CEDAR RAPIDS PARKS & RECREATION | CRREC.ORG