UPDATE 5/14/2021

MASK REQUIREMENT HAS BEEN REMOVED

Patrons will no longer be required to wear masks in the Activity Center

The Activity Center reopened to the public monday, february 8, 2021

Activities for adults 50+ will resume
with covid protocals in place

Read more

Some Rooms Open by Appointment

• Arts & Crafts Room with WIFI Access (Up to 4 people)
• Computer Lab (1 person at a time)
• Exercise Room (1 person at a time)

Call (515) 961-9420 to make an appointment.

Billiards Room is open for players 50+
(one younger guest allowed per player per visit)

Check in Procedure

All building visitors will be checked in at the front window by Parks & Rec staff.

Masks Required

jigsaw puzzles available 24/7

Our free puzzle exchange is available in the entryway of our building.

Activity Center Rentals Resume with COVID Protocols

Buxton Room will be available for rent; small meeting rooms will not.

• Events limited to 96 people.
• Extra $150 fee for cleaning and disinfecting after rental will be passed on to customer
• Renter must follow CDC guidelines for any meals or food served
• Renter must agree to follow CDC guidance regarding safety measures to prevent spread of COVID-19

Update 12/9/2020

Open by appointment for the following services

• Exercise Room

• Computer Lab

• Arts & Crafts Room with access to WiFi

Call (515) 961-9420 to schedule your visit.  Masks are required.

Jigsaw puzzles available 24/7

Our free puzzle exchange is available in the entryway of our building.  
Borrow a puzzle or drop off puzzles you have finished. A great activity for a cold or wet day!

Biweekly virtual yoga sessions

Access via FaceBook or on YouTube

Update 11/17/2020 - INDIANOLA ACTIVITY CENTER CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

In an abundance of caution and as numbers continue to rise and it is determined substantial community spread is occurring in Indianola, our department will utilize the IDPH guideline for closures once positive testing rate for 14 days rises above 15%.

The Indianola Activity Center will be closed for public use as of Tuesday, November 17.  Meeting by appointment only with small groups and increased social distancing and masks required.

Recreation staff will be permitted to work from home with shifts rotated and one person available to answer phones for questions from the public.

Park staff will work in small groups.

Facility rentals will be canceled or postponed.

In-person recreation programming suspended, and virtual programming will expand

Parks and trails remain open with signage remaining to remind visitors how to reduce the spread.

As of Tuesday, November 17:

All exercise classes and weekly programs for adults 50+ are cancelled.
The computer lab, billiards room and exercise room are closed.

Recreation programming has been suspended, cancelled, or offered virtually if possible. Participants will be contacted directly and may choose a credit or refund by check.

Registration for youth and adult basketball leagues remains open for now. The leagues are not scheduled to meet in person until January, and a final decision about the leagues will be made closer to that time.

SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) counselors will continue to offer assistance through phone appointments. Call (515) 962-5375 and leave a message with your name and contact information. A counselor will call to set up an appointment.

Recreation staff will be available by phone or email Monday - Friday between 8am - 5pm.
Call (515) 961-9420 or email parkrec@indianolaiowa.gov and we will be happy to assist you.
You may also contact staff members directly via email:

Brandon DeCook, Sports & Wellness Coordinator   bdecook@indianolaiowa.gov

Afton Bradley, Aquatics & Special Events Coordinator  abradley@indianolaiowa.gov

Becky Lane, Recreation Programming Coordinator  blane@indianolaiowa.gov

Kathy Kester, Marketing Coordinator  kkester@indianolaiowa.gov

Doug Bylund, Director   dbylund@indianolaiowa.gov

Update 9/17/2020

Activity Center Rentals
The Arts & Crafts room will be now be available for rent. Limited to 8 people.

Update 6/12/2020
Indianola Activity Center to Re Open on Monday, June 22
Reduced hours, new safety measures and schedule adjustments will be in place when the Activity Center re opens to the public on Monday, June 22. Read about modifications that will be in place when the public accesses the building for the first time in over three months.

Visitors will be expected to follow social distancing requirements and other guidelines. All facilities are for use at your own risk. Those with pre-existing medical conditions and those older than 65 are encouraged to continue to limit activities outside of their homes.

Parks & Recreation Classes at the Activity Center
Limitations based on room size
Participants will agree to COVID statement at time of registration
No shared equipment, supplies or materials
Extra cleaning/disinfecting after each class
Must adhere to social distancing guidelines or wear a mask
Click here to view and register for programs online.

Activity Center Rentals
Buxton Room will be available for rent; small meeting rooms will not.
Events limited to 96 people.
Extra $150 fee for cleaning and disinfecting after rental will be passed on to customer
Renter must follow CDC guidelines for any meals or food served
Renter must agree to follow CDC guidance regarding safety measures to prevent spread of COVID-19



Update 6/2/2020 - Some Parks and Facilities Re Open
In accordance with guidelines set by Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Iowa Department of Health, the following plan will be implemented on Tuesday, June 2, to reopen designated facilities and restart some activities and programs. Users are expected to follow social distancing requirements and other guidelines. All facilities are for use at your own risk.

City Parks

Park playgrounds reopen. Surfaces are not disinfected.
Skate Park reopens. Surfaces are not disinfected.
Park restrooms open. Restrooms are cleaned and disinfected daily.
Park shelter reservations are allowed. Shelter surfaces are not disinfected.
  Patrons who wish to cancel or reschedule reservations may do so without penalty.
  New reservations for shelters or the Memorial Park Amphitheater may be made by calling (515) 961-9420.
   Facility rental users are expected to implement reasonable measures to ensure social distancing and other public health guidance.
   Any gatherings or events that do not comply with these requirements are prohibited.
Ball fields will reopen for practices on June 2, and for games and tournaments on June 13.  Concessions will be limited.
    Tournament organizers must implement social distancing requirements and other public health guidance.

Pickle Ball Courts at the Indianola YMCA
  Note: Outdoor courts are open; however, access to the YMCA is limited to members only at this time. Bring your own hand sanitizer.

Indianola Activity Center
  The building remains closed as a senior center through at least June 17, 2020, by Governor Reynolds’ May 26 proclamation.

Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center
   The aquatic center will not open for the 2020 season.
   Refund checks will be issued for all season passes, swimming lessons, and facility rentals. Process may take 4-6 weeks.

Recreation Programs
CDC and Iowa Department of Health guidance will be followed including social distancing, hand hygiene, no attendance of participants who are ill or who have symptoms, encouraging face coverings, limiting use of shared equipment, posting of signs, and listing guidance on registration information.  

Update 5/22/2020
The City continues to monitor the events of the COVID pandemic. In light of the Governor’s recent proclamation regarding aquatic centers, our staff is in the process of evaluating guidelines, procedures and available options. We anticipate providing an overview and recommendation to the City Council at its upcoming meeting on June 1st. The pool will not open on May 30 as originally scheduled.

Update 4/24/2020

Parks and Recreation programs, as well as facility and shelter rentals and ballfield practices are cancelled through May 31. Customers will be contacted regarding details for refunds of programs and/or rentals.

Staff is evaluating the programs and facilities and developing a phased approach to when these can be resumed or re-opened and the procedures that will be needed to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Update 4/6/2020
Additional closures: The Indianola Skate Park and the campground at Pickard Park are closed until further notice.



Update 3/30/2020

Programs and activities in the upcoming Spring, 2020 issue of Indianola Magazine will be open for registration Friday, March 27. We encourage you to register for programs as you would normally . If cancellation is necessary, you will receive a full refund.

Season Passes to Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center can be purchased online or over the phone. EarlyBird savings of 20% are available when purchased by Friday, April 17. Should the swimming season be shortened or cancelled, full or pro-rated refunds will be given.

Cancellations for facility and shelter reservations and ballfield practices are now cancelled through April 30.

In an effort to reduce the community spread of COVID-19, Indianola Parks and Recreation is now closing all city park playgrounds until further notice. This decision was made to protect public health with guidance from public health officials.

Parks and trails are open, be sure to practice social distancing and carry your own hand sanitizer, as restrooms are closed.

As the fluidity of this pandemic continues, we will update information as it becomes available.  If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at parkrec@indianolaiowa.gov or phone (515) 961-9420.

More information and updates from the City concerning the virus can be found HERE.

Update 3/18/2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Indianola’s non-public safety staff, including recreation and office staff, will work from home until further notice beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020.  Any and all inquiries can still be made to the main phone line at (515) 961-9420 or by e-mail at parkrec@indianolaiowa.gov. Parks staff will continue their outdoor work as scheduled and continue to follow guidelines and precautions from the CDC and Iowa Department of Public Health.

The Activity Center and Senior Center are closed.

All Parks and Recreation Facility and Shelter Reservations are canceled through April 12.  Full refunds or credits will be given for all cancellations.

All Parks and Recreation programs and activities have been canceled or postponed through April 12.  The Parks and Recreation Department will be in touch with those who have registered.  Full refunds or credits will be given for all cancellations.

All practices have been canceled at Pickard and Moats Park through April 12. 

Our parks and trails remain open… please enjoy them responsibly!  Make sure to practice social distancing and other healthy habits.

SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) counselors will continue to offer assistance through phone appointments.  Call 515-962-5375 and leave a message with your name and contact information.  

As the fluidity of this pandemic continues, we will update information as it becomes available.  If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

More information and updates from the City concerning the virus can be found HERE.