The City of Ames is exploring a potential indoor recreation facility that would allow year-round activities. This facility may include courts for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball, but may also include exercise equipment, artificial turf, an indoor playground, batting cages, and/or multipurpose space.

There are several opportunities planned to gather public feedback about this concept to allow residents to ask questions, share concerns, and indicate expectations.

Residents are encouraged to give feedback through an online survey by Monday, Nov. 9, at www.CityOfAmes.org/IndoorRecreationCenter.

Additionally, one remaining public input session is planned for the following date:

•  6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the City Hall Council Chambers, 515 Clark Ave.

Gathering feedback is the first step in a process that includes providing analysis to the Ames Parks & Recreation Commission and presenting a report to the Ames City Council in November. With Council direction, Parks and Recreation staff would hire a consultant to explore capital and operational costs, conceptual plans, and fee structure.

Homewood Golf Course, 401 E. 20^th St., will remain open for golfing through Sunday, Nov. 1, weather permitting. The course will close for the season beginning Monday, Nov. 2. 

We appreciate your feedback and want to hear from you! The survey will be available through Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 5 p.m.

Photo credit: Tana Tesdall

On Saturday, Oct. 24, approximately 15 volunteers cleaned up areas along the Upland Trail in Ada Hayden Heritage Park. Volunteers cleared vegetation along both sides of the trail near the Rotary Overlook Swing, opening up views of the lake and removing vegetation that had encroached on the trail.



Parks and Recreation extends a huge thank-you to everyone who volunteered their time to help!

Keep an eye out for an assortment of ghosts, goblins, and other creatures running about in Ames for Halloween. The annual Trick-or-Treat night will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 30, with suggested hours from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For the safety of everyone participating, the Ames Police Department offers these tips and suggestions:

For Children:

• Travel with a parent/guardian or a responsible adult
• Travel only in familiar areas
• Inspect treats at home before eating them
• Use flashlights, glow sticks, or other reflective materials while walking after dark
• Remove masks and other vision obstructions prior to crossing roadways
• Ensure costume accessories, such as swords, are soft and flexible

For Drivers:

• Slow down in residential areas
• Obey all traffic signs and signals
• Pay extra attention at crosswalks and intersections
• Pick a safe location and turn on hazard lights when picking up/dropping off children
• Consider turning on vehicle headlights prior to dusk

For Everyone:

• Talk openly about safety and the expectations for the night
• Carry a cell phone; make sure it’s charged 
• Never enter a stranger’s home or vehicle
• Don’t trick-or-treat alone
• Remove all hazards from steps, porches, and sidewalks
• Keep candles away from combustible materials
• Report suspicious behavior to the Ames Police Department at 515.239.5133

Once your jack-o-lanterns and other natural fall decor are starting to decay, resist the urge to toss them in the trash – that would be a nightmare for the Resource Recovery Plant! Instead, take them to the drop-off bin on the north side of the plant at 410 E. Second St.

Food waste and garbage with high moisture content can create challenges for the Resource Recovery Plant. Mushy vegetables like old pumpkins and gourds can contaminate dry garbage and create a frightening mix that must be landfilled.

Decaying pumpkins, gourds, corn, and harvest vegetables will be accepted in special bins on the north side of Resource Recovery through Monday, Dec. 4. Please remove any artificial decorations or candles before dropping pumpkins in the bins.

Last year, 10.55 tons of pumpkins and gourds were processed into compost and kept out of the landfill. If you have pumpkins or organic fall décor after Dec. 4, you can still drop it off in the food waste diversion container at Resource Recovery.

Charcuterie Workshop

Thursday, Nov. 12

6 to 7 p.m.

Homewood Clubhouse, 401 E. 20th St.

Registration: $60 per participant

Homewood Clubhouse and Letter Eats by B are partnering for a charcuterie workshop. During this hands-on workshop, you’ll create your own 10-by-10-inch charcuterie tray to enjoy, take home or give as a gift. All materials are provided. Adult and nonalcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.



This is the perfect workshop to prepare you to impress your friends and family during the holidays.

Saturday, Nov. 14

Noon to 2 p.m.

Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, 115 N. Elm Ave.

Registration: $30 resident, $35 nonresident

Enjoy a pirate skit and swim with your favorite pirate during the Pirate Pool Party and enjoy snacks in our party room. The event will take place in all pools except the wellness pool. The slide will be open during the event. Be sure to bring your camera to take pictures with your favorite character! Recommended for ages 1-9.

Registration includes one child and one adult. Additional children require an additional registration fee. Preregistration is preferred, but registration will also be available onsite the day of the event.

Registration is now open for fall courses!

Session three: Saturday, Nov. 21

Registration deadline: Friday, Nov. 13

Session four: Saturday, Dec. 12

Registration deadline: Friday, Dec. 4

8:30 to 11 a.m.

Ages: 10 and older

Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, 115 N. Elm Ave.

Registration: $90 resident, $105 nonresident

These courses will certify you in American Red Cross adult and pediatric CPR, AED, and first aid upon successful completion.

Session three: Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21

Registration deadline: Friday, Nov. 13

Session four: Friday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 12

Registration deadline: Friday, Dec. 4

Friday, 4-8:30 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Ages: 11 to 16

Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, 115 N. Elm Ave.

Registration: $115 resident, $130 nonresident

The American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training program is designed to prepare youth ages 11-16 to safely and confidently care for children and infants. The program includes hands-on activities, videos, and discussions to develop essential, real-life babysitting skills.

The course covers feeding, diapering, picking up and holding children, safety, and emergency response. The program includes classroom-based Babysitter’s Training, as well as pediatric CPR, AED, and first aid training to help participants respond in the event of an emergency.

Please bring a water bottle and lunch to eat on-site.

Euchre

Mondays, Nov. 2 to Dec. 7

6 to 7:30 p.m.

Homewood Golf Course, 401 E. 20th St.

Registration: $36 per individual

This is a two-person team league. If you do not have a partner, staff will try to match individuals. Teams of two must register individually. A schedule will be sent weekly. All skill levels are welcome. Tutorials and demonstrations will be provided on the first night.

Socialize, meet new people and improve your skills. Points are awarded for attendance and games won each night. League winners will receive a Parks and Recreation gift card.

Cribbage

Wednesdays, Nov. 4 to Dec. 9

10 to 11:30 a.m. or 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Homewood Golf Course, 401 E. 20th St.

Registration: $30



This card game will be played individually. A scheduled rotation will be sent out weekly. All skill levels are welcome, as tutorials and demonstrations will be provided on the first night. Socialize, meet new people and improve your cribbage skills. Points are awarded for attendance and games won each night. A Parks and Recreation gift card will be awarded to the winners at the end of the season.

Evening Swim Lessons

Session three: Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nov. 10 to Dec. 10

Registration deadline: Monday, Nov. 2

Various times

All ages

Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, 115 N. Elm Ave.



Registration: $72 resident, $87 nonresident

We're hiring! Gymnastics and Dance Instructors

Do you love working with kids and helping them learn new skills? Ames Parks and Recreation is looking for enthusiastic, dependable gymnastics and dance instructors to join our team! We especially need instructors available for Saturday morning classes.

Whether you have previous teaching experience or a background in gymnastics, dance, or a related activity, we'd love to hear from you. Help us create a fun, positive, and engaging experience for young participants in our community!

Parks and Recreation is now hiring for upcoming fall youth and adult activities.

We're hiring for the following positions:

• Lifeguard - midday shift
• Adult basketball scorekeeper
• Adult site supervisor (basketball and softball)
• Adult sports officials/umpires (softball, basketball, sand volleyball, and indoor volleyball)
• Youth sports instructor (soccer, basketball, and volleyball)
• Youth sports director/site supervisor (Miracle League, youth soccer, youth basketball, and youth volleyball)
• Youth dance and gymnastics instructor
• Youth sport official (soccer, volleyball, and basketball)

View more information about each position and apply below.

Residents of Ames, Cambridge, Gilbert, Huxley, Nevada, Story City, and unincorporated Story County can dispose of yard waste at no charge during Fall No-Charge Yard Waste Days planned in October and November. The scheduled Saturdays are Nov. 7 (includes brush), Nov. 14, and Nov. 21, at Steenhoek Environmental, 3892 N. 500th Avenue. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Those participating in Fall No-Charge Yard Waste Days are asked to enter the site from the southwest side of the property and follow the road to the northwest exit after dropping off yard waste. All paper compostable and plastic bags of yard waste must be dumped out.

For more information about Steenhoek Environmental’s rules for yard waste disposal, go to https://www.secompost.com/copy-of-yard-waste-site.

For additional information or questions, contact Steenhoek at 515.599.0503.

Yard waste is not accepted at the Resource Recovery Plant. For more information about yard waste disposal, visit www.CityOfAmes.org/YardWaste.