E-mail: spencer@smunet.net

SPENCER PARKS & RECREATION

Community Commitment
General Information
Recreational Parks
Park Board
Aquatic Center Hours
Youth Baseball & Softball Association

PARK & RECREATION DIRECTOR
Delray Bredehoeft
405 4th Street SE - Spencer, IA 51301 - Phone: 712/580-7260

Our Parks... Our Pride... Our Future...

Mission Statement:
"To enhance a city wide park and recreation system which improves the quality of life and promotes safe and enjoyable outdoor activities for all citizens of Spencer. "

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

Thanks to the commitment and dedication of the entire community, the City of Spencer is developing a new aquatics center and tennis complex, and beginning a major expansion of its recreational trail system. In addition, Phase I of an extensive prairie and woodland restoration project in River View Park will help serve the needs of our growing community for the future.

In providing a multitude of recreational and educational opportunities to people of all ages, these facilities enhance the appeal of the City of Spencer dramatically. Visitors and local citizens alike will enjoy a variety of opportunities in attractive surroundings, making the City of Spencer one of lowa's most appealing communities.

The Spencer Recreational Trail System will serve thousands of people each year, providing a safe and accessible opportunity to enjoy the beauty of our parks while walking, jogging, bicycling, enjoying nature, or even in-line skating.

GENERAL INFORMATION

As you may have noticed, there are many changes taking place in the Spencer Park System. Park & Recreation Director Del Bredehoeft and the Park Board have been kept busy for the past year or so with the planning of the new Park in southeast Spencer. At the completion of a contest to name the NEW city park, the name was designated as "River View Park". Season passes are now available for River View Park's Aquatic Center. There is an 8-plex tennis court which was partially funded by the Spencer Community School and will be shared with the school. Future plans may include development of a campground. The Spencer Park Board is tentatively planning for a grand opening presentation for the new park during Flagfest in June, 1997. River View Park will be a great asset to our City. Check it out!!

The Park Board is also in the process of developing a trail throughout the City. We already have a nice paved trail around Stolley Park. An additional 40 acres south of Stolleys has been purchased to extend the trail to West 4th street. There is also a trail project being planned through East Leach Park, which includes a walk bridge over the Little Sioux River to bring the walker or bike rider to the new Park in southeast Spencer. Many citizens as well as visitors will be able to enjoy long-term benefits with these projects!

The Park System in Spencer offers many opportunities for all types of citizens. We have a campground and enclosed shelterhouse at East Leach Park. Ice skating, summer band concerts, picnics, family reunions, etc. are held at East Leach. It is also one of the sites of the Summer Playground Program which is a great activity for kids for some summertime fun!

A beautiful nature area for fishing, hiking and bird watching is available at Stolley Park. Hundreds of kids and adults alike enjoy baseball and softball at Pederson Park. There are || fields that are used extensively from May-September by patrons of all ages. During those months, the population equivalent of Spencer goes through Pederson on a weekly basis !! Talk about a busy place!

The Park Department is in charge of tree and flower planting and care throughout the City of Spencer. Trees are planted for citizens in the area between the sidewalk and the street each Spring at a cost of only $10 per tree. This really enhances the beauty of our town!

Other Parks within the Spencer Park System include DeWolf, North School, Pete's Pond, Sunset, Westview Memorial, Fairview, Waterway, C.Earl Page, and West Leach Park totalling 256 acres. We feel fortunate to have such a variety of Park options here in our beautiful City. The Park Department operates year-round with Supt. Del Bredehoeft at the helm. Summer part-time employees are the major labor source in the care of our parks. We also have a very active volunteer Park Board that has put in countless hours toward improving out entire Park System. It is fitting therefore, that the mission statement established by the Spencer Park Board is "TO ENHANCE A CITY-WIDE PARK AND RECREATION SYSTEM WHICH IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND PROMOTES SAFE AND ENJOYABLE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR ALL CITIZENS OF SPENCER"

RECREATIONAL PARKS

Campgrounds
301 4th St. SE
Acres: 15
Description: Campground, Electrical Outlets (100), Picnic Tables

East Leach Park & Green Belt along river
S. Grand Bridge & 4th St. SE
Acres: 54
Description: Basketball Court, Campground, Children's Playground, Fishing, Neighborhood Park, Picnic Tables, Shelter House

River View Park
612 4th St. SE
Acres: 60
Description: Family Aquatic Center, Concession, 8 Court Tennis Court, Picnic Area, Natural Area

Fairview Park
E. 14th St. & 5th Ave. E.
Acres: 6
Description: Basketball Court, Children's Playground, Hiking Trail, Neighborhood Park, Tennis Courts

Moose Pond Park
8th St & 4th Ave S.E.
Acres: 10
Description: Fishing, Nature Trail

West Leach Field & Green Belt along river
S. Grand Bridge & 4th St. SW
Acres: 8
Description: Children's Playground, Fishing, Neighborhood Park, Picnic Tables, Canoe Ramp

Waterway Park
1501 Grand Plaza Drive
Acres: 10
Description: Basketball Court, Children's Playground, Neighborhood Park, Picnic Tables, Shelter House

DeWolf Park
Hwy 18 E. of Del's Garden Center
Acres: 10
Description: Picnic Tables, Nature Area & Trail

North School Park
lst Ave. W. & W. I 1 th St.
Acres: 2
Description: Basketball Court, Children's Playground, Neighborhood Park, Picnic Tables, Shelter House, Tennis Courts

Pederson Memorial Park & Cardinal Field
10th Ave. E. & E. 9th St.
Acres: 35
Description: 11 Ball Diamonds, Children's Playground, Picnic Tables, Shelter House

Stolley Park & Pond & Green Belt along river
W. 18th St. & 32nd Ave. W.
Acres: 80
Description: Recreational Trail, Fishing, Picnic Tables

Sunset Park
W. 7th St. & 11th Ave. W.
Acres: 2
Description: Basketball Court, Children's Playground, Neighborhood Park, Picnic Tables, Shelter House

West View Memorial
W. 9th St. & 11th Ave. W.
Acres: 5
Description: Arboretum & Quiet Park

C. Earl Page Park
W. 14th St. & 13th Ave. W.
Acres: 1
Description: Basketball Court, Children's Playground, Neighborhood Park, Picnic Tables

In addition to the above, nature areas and open space are found in Oneota-Little Sioux Access and Bob Howe Thunderbridge Wildlife Reserve which are both County Areas.

City of Spencer
418 2nd Avenue West
Spencer, IA 51301
712/580-7200
E-mail: spencer@smunet.net