Summer parks schedule packed with activities for everyone

The Newton Parks and Recreation Department is preparing to roll out activities throughout the summer months with the highlight again featuring Thursday night concerts at the Maytag Bowl.

“This year the dueling pianos will be joining forces with Party! Party!, a karaoke band, to play on the same night,” Administrative Park Superintendent Nathan Unsworth said.

Also new this year will be a polka band, and more bands are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. A potential new event will be movies in the park, to be held at the Maytag Bowl.

Smaller events are planned throughout the summer including a dog park party at 3 p.m. June 7, located at Westwood Park, 3387 Highway F48 W. Yoga or PiYo in the Park sessions are in the works for Saturday mornings at the Maytag Bowl and kids camps and programs will be announced closer to beginning of summer.

Ongoing events include adult softball, which starts in early May.

“A change for the adult softball this year is the co-ed split into two seasons, an early summer and a late summer. We’re doing that to help with those who may have kids in Little League or other obligations to let them have opportunities to play,” Unsworth said.

Pool passes to the Maytag Pool are currently for sale and shelter rentals are starting to fill up the schedule. A GoFundMe account has been established to help fund Fourth of July activities including the fireworks and events planned for the day. Starting July 6, for two weeks, swim lessons will be offered at Maytag Pool. More information on all events is available by calling the parks department at 641-792-1470.

“We always encourage people, if they would like to volunteer, they can certainly contact the park office or check out our Facebook page for activities,” Unsworth said.

Currently, crews are working to get the space ready for new bathrooms at Aurora Park. Both mens and womens restrooms will be installed in mid-May with modern facilities including flushable toilets. The new restrooms are paid for through the 2014 bond issue.

In conjunction with Red Pride Service Day, the Friends of Newton Parks will be planting new trees in both Maytag and Woodland parks. Trees at Maytag will be planted on May 6 and those in Woodland are scheduled for May 7. The public is invited to come out and help at 6 p.m. on May 7.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com