Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department

Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department Official Facebook account of the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department.

Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, in eastern Iowa, Iowa City is home to the University of Iowa, and has long served as a focal point for education, arts, and entertainment. The Parks and Recreation Department provides high-quality leisure time opportunities for the residents of the City of Iowa City.

Tot Time starts this Monday, September 14th!Bring your tot to Mercer Park Aquatic Center for them to enjoy trikes, slide...
09/10/2026

Tot Time starts this Monday, September 14th!

Bring your tot to Mercer Park Aquatic Center for them to enjoy trikes, slides, basketball hoops, tumbling mats, inflatable bounce areas, and more! $1 drop in fee.

No Tot Time November 25-27.

📅Monday - Friday
⏰9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
📍Mercer Park Aquatic Center

Children will explore various techniques and materials to make beautiful artistic and unique creations. These fun and ed...
09/04/2026

Children will explore various techniques and materials to make beautiful artistic and unique creations. These fun and educational experiences help them express creativity while developing essential artistic skills.

Register for these events at icgov.org/recreation.

Tape Resistant Watercolor Painting
📍Robert A. Lee
📅October 11
⏰2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Pumpkin Decorating
📍Robert A. Lee
📅October 25
⏰2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Make a Fairy Garden
📍Robert A. Lee
📅November 11
⏰2 p.m.-3 p.m.

Crayon Art
📍Robert A. Lee
📅November 22
⏰2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Mixed Media Art
📍Robert A. Lee
📅December 13
⏰2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Snowflake Ornaments
📍Robert A. Lee
📅December 19
⏰2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Discover hands-on STEAM activities that inspire creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving through interactive learning!R...
09/03/2026

Discover hands-on STEAM activities that inspire creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving through interactive learning!

Register for these events at icgov.org/recreation.

Super Build
📍Robert A. Lee
📅September 20
⏰1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Slime Time
📍Robert A. Lee
📅October 10
⏰10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Indi Car Robotics
📍Robert A. Lee
📅October 18
⏰1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Rockets and Catapults
📍Robert A. Lee
📅November 21
⏰10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Bee Bots
📍Robert A. Lee
📅November 29
⏰1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

❗EVENT CANCELLATION❗The Pages in the Park event has been cancelled📅Saturday, September 19th⏰9 a.m. - 6 p.m.📍Terry Truebl...
09/02/2026

❗EVENT CANCELLATION❗

The Pages in the Park event has been cancelled

📅Saturday, September 19th
⏰9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
📍Terry Trueblood Park

Explore the connection between nature and everyday life through hands-on learning experiences. These engaging adult clas...
09/02/2026

Explore the connection between nature and everyday life through hands-on learning experiences. These engaging adult classes cover topics such as herbs, gardening, cooking, and outdoor skills while providing practical knowledge, expert instruction, and opportunities to connect with others.

Register for these events at icgov.org/recreation.

Herbs 101
📍Robert A. Lee
📅September 26
⏰1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Cooking with Herbs
📍Robert A. Lee
📅September 26
⏰1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Tot Time returns starting September 14th!Bring your tot to Mercer Park Aquatic Center to enjoy trikes, slides, basketbal...
08/31/2026

Tot Time returns starting September 14th!

Bring your tot to Mercer Park Aquatic Center to enjoy trikes, slides, basketball hoops, tumbling mats, inflatable bounce areas, and more! $1 drop in fee per child.

No Tot Time November 25-27.

📅Monday-Friday
⏰9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
📍Mercer Park Aquatic Center

Did you know you can earn your Red Cross certification as a Lifeguard or Lifeguard Instructor through the Iowa City Park...
08/26/2026

Did you know you can earn your Red Cross certification as a Lifeguard or Lifeguard Instructor through the Iowa City Parks and Recreation?

These comprehensive training courses develop the skills and knowledge needed to teach swimming, respond to emergencies, and promote aquatic safety.

You must attend all three days of the course to receive your certification.
Register for class at icgov.org/aquatics.

Lifeguard Class
📍 Mercer Park Aquatic Center
📅 September 25-27
📅 October 2-4
📅 November 20-22
$190 Registration Fee

Lifeguard Instructor Class
📍 Mercer Park Aquatic Center
📅 October 9-11
$250 Registration Fee

❗️Tower Court Park Spray Pad Update❗️The spray pad at Tower Court Park has reopened to the public following a maintenanc...
08/25/2026

❗️Tower Court Park Spray Pad Update❗️

The spray pad at Tower Court Park has reopened to the public following a maintenance-related closure on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026.

View Iowa City Parks and Recreation Splash Pad schedules at icgov.org/Pools.

🐸Hop Into the World of Frogs!Get ready to leap into the fascinating world of Iowa’s frogs and amphibians! We’ll start wi...
08/25/2026

🐸Hop Into the World of Frogs!

Get ready to leap into the fascinating world of Iowa’s frogs and amphibians! We’ll start with a fun introduction to frog basics, including how to identify Iowa frogs by their unique looks and calls. Then, we’ll head outside for a creek side adventure to search for frogs and explore the habitats they call home.

Thank you Green Iowa AmeriCorps for partnering with us.

📅 Saturday, August 29th
⏰ 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
📍 Willow Creek Park

❗️UPDATE❗️The spray pad at Tower Court Park has reopened to the public following a maintenance-related closure on Monday...
08/24/2026

❗️UPDATE❗️

The spray pad at Tower Court Park has reopened to the public following a maintenance-related closure on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026.

Previous:

The spray pad at Tower Court Park will be closed until further notice due to a maintenance issue. An announcement will be made once the spray pad reopens.

During this time, the Wetherby Park Splash Pad and the Fairmeadows Park Splash Pad will be open as regularly scheduled and available for use. View Iowa City Parks and Recreation Splash Pad schedules and locations at icgov.org/Pools.

Address

220 South Gilbert Street
Iowa City, IA
52240

Opening Hours

Monday 6:15am - 9pm
Tuesday 6:15am - 9pm
Wednesday 6:15am - 9pm
Thursday 6:15am - 9pm
Friday 6:15am - 9pm
Saturday 6:15am - 8pm
Sunday 11am - 8pm

Telephone

+13193565100

Website

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