Takes a proactive approach to land conservation which maintains biological diversity, improves water quality and provides wildlife corridors. Cedar Rapids parks also provide opportunities for residents to engage with their natural environment.
Investing in...
Acres of Parks & Public Facilities
The Parks and Recreation Department manages over 4,161 acres of City-owned property for leisure use and flood control. We operate and maintain dozens of facilities for public use including:
- 4 municipal golf courses
- 6 swimming pools
- Splash pads
- 21 pavilions
- Trails
- Ushers Ferry Historic Village
- Bever Park Children's Zoo
- Tuma Soccer Complex, Tait Cummins Sports Complex
- Noelridge Park Greenhouse
Land Conservation
Cedar Rapids' parkland protects almost half of the existing river corridor areas within city limits, which demonstrates our proactive approach to land conservation. These areas maintain biological diversity, improve water quality, provide wildlife corridors and create recreation opportunities.
Upcoming Projects
- In the next five to ten years, we will convert manicured parkland to native prairie plantings to reduce maintenance costs and support the environment.
- The riverfront amphitheater and festival ground project will include a bioswale to intercept storm flow from hard surface areas, stabilize the river bank, reduce erostion and reduce future flooding.
- The riverfront amphitheater and festival ground project will also include prairie plantings to stabilize and improve the visual quality of the river's edge.
- Wetland park areas are planned for Seminole Valley and on the east side of the Cedar River in the New Bohemia District.