Recreation
The Mount Pleasant Park and Recreation Department oversees 10 city parks, which offer everything from athletic fields, playground equipment and tennis courts to picnic areas, a swimming pool and open spaces. The largest of the parks is East Lake Park, which spans 120 acres and is equipped with a three-field softball and a five-field soccer complex, two playground sites, three sand volleyball courts, four lighted tennis courts, nine horseshoe pits, a driving range (open from April through November), a 6.5-acre pond and picnic areas.
The 40-acre McMillan Park is home to some of the area’s largest events, including the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion and the Henry County Fair, while Saunders Park encompasses the Mount Pleasant Family Aquatic Center. Built in 1997, the aquatic center is composed of a six-lane, 25-yard heated pool, two diving boards, two water slides, a sundeck and spacious lounging area. The 60-acre park also has playground equipment, two shelters, two gazebos and a log cabin.
One of Mount Pleasant’s newest recreational areas is the United Thru Play Playground, an 18,000-square-foot playground built in 2002 on the previous Saunders School site. United Thru Play houses a large, wooden playground offering such unique aspects as racing slides, bridges, an upside-down room, a rocketship feature and much more. There is also a spacious picnic area on-site.
Other parks in the city include the 1.5-acre Schaeffer Park; Cranes Pond, which stretches over five acres and encompasses a two-acre pond for fishing; Prairie View Park, a 14.5-acre area in development; the two-acre Central Park located in the heart of the downtown business district; and Green Square Park, a smaller neighborhood site.
Mount Pleasant is also served by the Rec Center, which is managed by Iowa Wesleyan College. The 30,000- square-foot multi-purpose facility was built in 1995 and houses a full-size gymnasium, two racquetball courts, lap pool, whirlpool, indoor track, weight room and cardio equipment. In addition to these amenities are a full array of programs, summer camps and special events for people of all ages.
A day on the greens can be had at the Mount Pleasant Golf and Country Club. The nine-hole course spans 2,833 yards for a par of 36. Other nearby courses include the Deerwood Golf and Country Club in New London and the Twin Lakes Recreation Center in Winfield.
Several miles of recreational trails wind throughout Mount Pleasant, designed for walking, biking and jogging enthusiasts alike. The scenic Skunk River lies just outside of Mount Pleasant at Oakland Mills and features a notable water trail. Additionally, the Mississippi River, Lake Rathbun, Lake Geode and a handful of state parks are located within reach of the community.
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