Mini Pines to Host Grand Opening Friday

The Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department will host a grand opening celebration on Friday, June 11 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. as it opens Mini Pines, a new miniature golf course. Mini Pines is an 18-hole, lighted course, located at 3800 42^nd Street NE, next to Twin Pines Golf Course. The grand opening event will feature a program with speakers, ribbon cutting, and opportunity to explore the course from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. After 4:30 p.m. the course will be open for paid play. Drawings will be held throughout the event for multiple packages of four rounds of mini golf.

Mini Pines overlooks Twin Pines Golf Course, and provides 18 holes of play that can be fun and social, or competitive. The course loops to a pond area and nine-foot waterfall, challenging players with four holes that involve water play. It concludes with a final “horse race” hole where anyone has a chance to win. Adjacent to the golf course parking lot, the course is easy to walk for individuals of all ages. It features completely accessible holes throughout – one of only a few courses to offer this level of play for individuals with mobility disabilities. The course can be altered, with holes changed to provide a different experience for returning golfers. Butterfly and hummingbird gardens are planted in three locations on the course with educational signage about the benefits of pollinator plantings. Forty-five ornamental or “mini” pines have been planted throughout the course. With the addition of Mini Pines, families can experience multiple forms of fun in one easily accessed location. Mini Pines operates out of the Twin Pines Clubhouse, utilizing the same staff for the Twin Pines Golf Course and driving range.

The course was built by Harris Miniature Golf, Inc. Staff and students from Kirkwood Community College Department of Industrial Technologies, and Metro High School STEAM Academy worked with the City to design and build a Tree of Five Seasons sculpture and entrance sign. New Leader Manufacturing provided the materials to build the sculpture.

Mini Pines will be open Sunday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Hours may vary due to inclement weather conditions. The cost to play is $8.00 for adults ages 19 to 64, $7.00 for ages 65 and over, $6.00 for ages 5 to 18, and $3.00 for ages 0 to 4. Punch cards for ten rounds are available for $70.00 for adults, $60.00 for seniors and $50.00 for students. Patio pads with a picnic table are available to rent for parties for $40.00 per time slot. Call 319-286-5588 to inquire about parties or for more information.