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Experiencing Marshalltown

RECREATION
The City of Marshalltown Parks and Recreation Department oversees more than two dozen well maintained parks and recreational facilities located throughout the community. Such highlights as ball diamonds, basketball and tennis courts, picnic areas, Frisbee golf, playground equipment, skateboard parks, fishing docks, and trails can be found at many of these park sites. Built in 2003, the Family Aquatic Center is a summer favorite among
residents, featuring zero-depth entry, water features for children, water slides, a diving board, lap lanes and a
Lazy River. Adding to the list is the extensive Linn
Creek Recreation Trail, which connects several
prominent recreational areas in Marshalltown.

Community Y of Marshalltown
The Community Y of Marshalltown is certainly a significant point of pride for residents. The organization completed construction of the Horne-Henry Center in January 2004, offering members a modern facility that promotes recreation and education in Marshalltown. Housed within the 122,000-square-foot Community Y is a large recreational pool featuring an indoor/outdoor slide, a competitive pool, two full basketball and volleyball courts, racquetball courts, strength training and cardiovascular equipment, group fitness studios, an indoor running/walking track, and more.

Grimes Farm & Conservation Center
Grimes Farm brings together a nature center, a farm, an educational center and a recreational area all in one, inviting visitors to learn how a functioning agricultural operation can work in unison with the variety of ecosystems making up the landscape of Marshalltown. Woodlands, prairie grasses, wetlands, hills, agricultural areas and Linn Creek are all significant environments discovered within this outdoor classroom. Hiking trails wind around the farm, providing access to these diverse areas. In 2003, the Conservation Center was built in order to encourage environmental education and offer adequate space for natural history displays, meetings, activities and the Marshall County Conservation Board administrative offices.

Golfing
Golf enthusiasts of all skill levels relish in the superlative opportunities discovered in and closely surrounding Marshalltown. Excellent public course options in the area include the 18-hole American Legion Course and Collison’s Par 3 Golf Course, as well as the nine-hole Wandering Creek Golf Course. Golfers can also take advantage of the private 18-hole Elmwood Country Club—one of the favorites in this area.

Sand Lake
Fishing on Sand Lake is a popular pastime in the Marshalltown area. Situated just outside the city, the 95-acre Sand Lake is stocked with walleye, crappies, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and bluegills. The area’s location along the Iowa River Greenbelt makes it an ideal wildlife habitat, welcoming a variety of ducks, geese, shorebirds, eagles, beavers and otters.

ENTERTAINMENT
Exciting Events
Marshalltown boasts a calendar year of wonderful family-friendly events that draw in residents and visitors from all over the area. The Fourth of July Celebration and the Annual Iowa State BBQ, Buggies and Tunes festival are some of the choice area events. Oktemberfest, “Iowa’s BEST Family Fall Festival,” is held the third weekend in September and features four days of carnival rides and games, a classic car show, the Grand Parade, a 5k/10k Walk/Run, and great activities and contests for kids and adults alike. Marshalltown residents end the year with the Holiday Stroll. During this event, downtown shops are alive with entertainment, games, foods and more—plus a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s Workshop.

ARTS & CULTURE
Marshalltown is filled with rich artistic and cultural outlets, with the establishment of a multitude of unique art centers and galleries and the preservation of many local historical places. The Fisher Community Center’s extraordinary Art Gallery and Sculpture Collection is a must-see when in Marshalltown. Exceptional theatrical performances can be seen through the Marshalltown Community Theatre at the Martha Ellen Tye Playhouse, while live entertainment rings loud during the Summer Concert Series in the downtown district. Thanks to the support and programming found through such entities as the Marshal County Arts & Culture Alliance, Community Concert Series, the Central Iowa Art Association, and the Community Y, the arts and culture community of Marshalltown will remain vibrant and growing.

SHOPPING
Retail opportunities abound in Marshalltown, a Main Street
community that houses a vibrant central business district lined
with a selection of unique shops and charming restaurants. Shoppers walking through downtown Marshalltown peruse a wealth of locally owned stores, selling everything from apparel,
jewelry and home décor to antiques and collectibles, gift items, and specialty artwork. Accompanying the historic downtown district are two extensive malls featuring an assortment of boutiques and department stores, two fresh farmers markets, and a host of convenient neighborhood shopping complexes scattered throughout town.

DINING
An active day of shopping, recreation and entertainment can certainly work up an appetite. No worries, as Marshalltown is teeming with a mixture of fantastic dining establishments ready
to serve the finest in customer service and food. Menus listing the best in American classics are fused with flavorful ethnic favorites including Italian, Mexican and Chinese cuisine. Diners enjoy these tasty dishes in a variety of settings: Casual environments welcome families, fine dining backdrops are perfect for the special night out, and fast-food restaurants are great for the person on the go.

LODGING
Visitors, whether in Marshalltown on pleasure or business, will revel in the variety of options for comfortable lodging within the community. Nearly 450 guest rooms are available, ranging from luxurious spaces in historic downtown Marshalltown and modern surroundings at a contemporary hotel to more economical choices at a local motel. Offering a pleasant home away from home, the area’s 11 distinct hotels and motels provide guests with the finest in accommodations and amenities, including complimentary breakfast, fitness equipment, free high-speed wireless Internet, swimming pools and in-room cable television— to name a few.