Muscatine Parks and Recreation’s Role in the Community

It’s City Week here in Muscatine! That means we’ve been providing information about city government and encouraging engagement as we seek to include the community in decision making. City Week is sponsored by the Iowa League of Cities, with the purpose of showcasing and celebrating cities and the many services they provide.

Each department within the City of Muscatine plays an important role in enhancing quality of life for Muscatine’s residents. Today, I am going to share about the Parks and Recreation Department.

When I began working for the City of Muscatine, I spent time meeting with department heads and touring the facilities of their departments. One of the most enjoyable departments tours was with the Parks and Recreation Department. I liked visiting Parks and Rec because I already had some background knowledge about their offerings. Much like most people who grow up in Muscatine, I had childhood experiences of frequenting Weed Park and using the riverfront trail system. During the tour, I had the chance to learn about the background work that is required to keep the Parks and Rec facilities enjoyable places for people to visit.

The Parks and Recreation Director Rich Klimes led me on a tour of the department’s facilities, where I learned what goes on behind the scenes to ensure Muscatine has top-notch recreation areas. The City has a 560 acre park system, which includes 21 park/recreation areas. Each facility has its own highlights, which may include playgrounds, shelters, trails, sports fields, etc. This department clearly encompasses many of the facilities Muscatine residents and visitors enjoy on a regular basis.

Not only does Parks and Rec have these facilities, but they work hard to maintain them. Maintenance of Muscatine’s parks takes time, resources and attention in order to maintain high quality facilities. Something that some people might not know is that Parks and Rec is also responsible for 140 miles of street trees and right of way maintenance.

Parks and Rec would not be able to provide their extensive services without the commitment of their hardworking staff. They have a crew of full-time, part-time and seasonal workers. Actually, if you are looking for a job, they are in need of a few more seasonal workers for this fall and winter. There are opportunities to teach sports skills, perform grounds work and work in the Club House of the Muscatine Municipal Golf Course. Check out our website to learn more!

In addition to its facilities, Parks and Rec offers 66 annual recreation programs, from gymnastics, to football clinics to volleyball leagues. There are opportunities for both youth and adults to enjoy these programs. Check out the Fall/Winter Activities Guide for information about participating in the many programs offered by Parks and Rec.

Muscatine Parks and Rec also hosts a number of special events each year. Here’s a list of upcoming events for the remainder of the year:

• Fall Festival – Saturday, Oct. 24 at 1-3 p.m. at the Muscatine Mall
• Turkey Trot – Saturday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. am at Muscatine Municipal Golf Course
• Candy Cane Hunt – Friday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at Pearl City Station
• Elves Workshop – Saturday, Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. at the Muscatine Mall

The Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department maintains a high level of commitment to ensuring that Muscatine residents have recreational facilities and activities to enjoy. I hope this blog post was helpful for learning more about Parks and Recreation’s role in the Muscatine community. For more information, please visit the Parks and Recreation section of the city’s website.