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Recreation

Cresco, Iowa is a great little town tucked away in northeast Iowa, arguably the most beautiful and scenic area of the state. With nature on our side, Cresco is known as "Iowa's Year 'Round Playground" because of the variety of recreational activities available to our residents and visitors alike. No matter what season of the year there is something for everybody.

  • Canoeing and Kayaking on the Upper Iowa and Turkey Rivers
  • Biking on over 25 miles of paved trails on the Prairie Farmer and Prairie Springs Recreational Trails
  • Snowmobiling on our extensive snowmobile trail system
  • Fishing for trout or walleye in our many streams and ponds
  • Hunting turkey, deer or pheasant
  • Nature and bird walks in our county, regional and state preserves
  • Camping at over 6 different campgrounds or golfing at over a dozen different golf courses all within a 30 mile drive of Cresco

    You can also stay fit in our state of the art Fitness Center and Indoor Pool.

    Residents and visitors can also enjoy various forms of recreation in Cresco's 4 city parks. Beadle, Kessel, Evans and East Parks offer a wide variety of features including playground equipment, softball and baseball diamonds, tennis, basketball and volleyball court, picnic shelters and lots of green space to run or sit back and relax.

    Check out the following links to some of our most popular activities...

    Cresco Park & Recreation

    The Cresco Park & Recreation offers programs and sports for all ages to take part in healthy activities and recreation. 

  • Basketball
  • Softball
  • Football
  • Tennis
  • Track
  • Golf
  • T-Ball
  • Baseball
  • Soccer
  • Swimming
  • Volleyball
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Go to the City of Cresco website at www.crescoia.govoffice2.com for more information on all of these activities or call the Cresco Fitness Center at 563-547-3443.


    Cresco Fitness Center & Indoor Pool

    The Cresco Fitness Center is a facility for all ages to participate in walking, swimming, exercise, basketball, volleyball and other fitness activites year 'round.

    This $1.8 million complex was financed by the people of Cresco for today and tomorrow. The facilities include a unique, zero-entry swimming pool that is designed in a "U" shape for safety (low water on one half, deeper water on the other half) and for better utilization of space. The indoor pool is named for the Jack and Fran Thomson family of Cresco who donated $500,000 to initiate the pool.

    The large complex includes a walking-running track that circles exercise equipment and a pair of basketball hoops. This complex is connected via a walkway to the 1936 gymnasium that was originally constructed for Cresco High School. The gym is the site of basketball and volleyball games and practices for boys and girls and adults. An accompanying stage is used by groups for birthday parties or group activites and two large adjoining rooms are used for aerobics, dance, tumbling, wrestling and other activities.

     A lower level is developed into a golf driving range, softball and baseball hitting cages, a classroom and work area for arts and crafts, and numerous other activities for public use.

    Check out everything that we offer on the City of Cresco website at www.crescoia.govoffice2.com.

    Business Hours:  Monday - Friday 5:30am-9:30pm  /  Saturday 9am-6pm  /  Sunday 1pm-6pm


    Camping, Hunting & FIshing

    The Howard County Conservation Board, established in 1956, acquires and develops county parks, preserves, wildlife areas, forests and other conservation areas and encourages wise management of our natural resources.  Cresco and it's surrounding area offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for the entire family. 

    Please visit our county website at howcocon.home.rconnect.com/hccb/HCCB_Home.html or the Iowa Deptartment of Natural Resources at www.iowadnr.com for more information.


    Indoor Skateboard Park

    Cresco's newest recreational activity will be an indoor skateboard park.  Located at East Park in the old water treatment facility and only used a couple months out of the year as an indoor ice skating rink, the new facility is planned to open up in the summer of 2008.  Call Ken Paxton with the Howard County Economic Development at 563-547-3434 to find out more information or if you would like to volunteer to help.


    Snowmobiling
    Snowmobiling on the groomed trail system that connects seven communities with Cresco is one of the joys of the winter season.  More than 250 miles of marked trails branch out from Cresco like spokes on a wheel.  These trails, developed over a 20-year period by the Cresco Driftrunners Snowmobile Club, enable the traveler to journey down the beautiful river valleys of the Upper Iowa & Turkey rivers.  Contact Josh Ferrie, President of the Driftrunners, for information on trails at 563-380-0973 or visit www.geocities.com/driftrunnersia/ .
    Prairie Farmer Trail
    Prairie Farmer Trail, named after a radio show once broadcast in the Midwest, is a 22-mile RECENTLY PAVED trail traveling the abandoned Milwaukee Railroad line between Cresco, Ridgeway and Calmar.  The trail provides a way for residents and visitors to safely enjoy the beautiful rural Iowa countryside as well as improve their health and wellness.  The $1.6 million project to "Pave the Way" has been nearly completed this fall.  The majority of the trail was paved with the remainder to be completed in 2008.
    Prairie Springs Recreational Trail
    Prairie Springs Recreational Trail begins in Cresco with the route extending 2 miles south, ending at the Prairie’s Edge Nature Center and the Vernon Springs mill pond area and Vernon Springs Campground.  This trail also connects to the recently paved Prairie Farmer Trail extending to Ridgeway and Calmar for over 20 more miles.
    Cresco Speedway

    Racing every Friday night.  Admission: Adults $9.00, Ages 12-18 $7.00, 65 and over $7.00, 11 & Under Free.    For more information visit www.crescospeedway.com or www.rlpromotions.com/cresco.


    Cresco Country Club
    Hours:
    May 8th-Sept. 9th  9:00am - close
    April 1st-May 7th & Sept. 10th-Oct. 31st - varies
    Private 9-Hole Country Club
    Special Events:
    Various Local Tournaments
    Couples Golf
    Men's & Women's Leagues

    Cresco Lanes

    America's most popular indoor sport. 

    "Lets go Bowling!"  Cresco Lanes offers indoor recreation and fun for any age.  This 8 lane bowling center can be rented out for parties and special occasions, has a full-service bar and restaurant.

    Call 563-547-3680 for leagues and open bowling information.