Cedar Rapids is Home to 100+ Public Parks

When my husband and I made the decision to leave Chicago, we wanted a community with easy access to green space and water. Cedar Rapids easily checked both of those boxes.

The city is home to 100+ well-appointed public parks located across all four quadrants. They vary in size and amenities, but all parks are clean and well maintained. Our favorite park is Ellis Park, which is adjacent to the Cedar River that is home to the Five Seasons Ski Team and the harbor boathouses. The 416 acre park has a public golf course with a state-of-the-art clubhouse, an ADA accessible pool with a slide and diving board, and a newly upgraded Shakespeare Garden.

The city is also home to several nonprofits with hiking trails and gardens, including Prariewoods, Indian Creek Nature Center, and Brucemore, which host events throughout the year. This evening, we attended Trailside Tastings at the ICNC that offered tastings from several local microbreweries, and tomorrow night is an outdoor concert at Brucemore.

What makes these parks and events even more enjoyable is that they are easily accessible by car or bike, parking is not a problem, and most events are no-or-low cost.

You’ll have fun visiting a variety of outdoor green spaces and finding the one that is your go to spot for relaxation or entertainment.