OASCO

10/01/2026

Community Tree Planting Planned for Oct. 10
AMES, Iowa – The public is invited to participate in a tree planting event on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 9 a.m. Interested volunteers should meet at the intersection of Idaho Avenue and Oklahoma Drive. Participants should bring gloves. All other tools will be provided.

Ames Parks and Recreation received a grant from Trees Forever, Alliant Energy, and The Ames Foundation to help plant 35 trees in the Idaho and Oklahoma neighborhood.

"We truly appreciate the generous support from Trees Forever, Alliant Energy, and The Ames Foundation. This contribution allows our residents to take an active role in a tree-planting initiative that directly improves the diversity and health of our urban forest," said Ames City Forester Gabriele Edwards.

The Parks and Recreation Department manages 41 parks and offers approximately 180 athletic, aquatic, instructional, and wellness programs. For more information, go to the Parks and Recreation website at www.amesparkrec.org or call the Community Center at 515.239.5350.

Discover endless opportunities with Ames Parks and Recreation. Enjoy a wide range of activities, including fitness classes, youth programs, aquatics, and more. Explore our parks, register for programs, and stay connected with the latest updates and schedules.

09/30/2026

Ames Parks and Recreation is inviting volunteers to help clean and maintain Ontario Park and Ada Hayden Heritage Park on two upcoming workday events scheduled for October.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/IAAMES/bulletins/42d1b76

09/29/2026

Wheels and Wings.

09/27/2026

🦎 🐍 ᖇEᑭTIᒪEᔕ & ᗩᗰᑭᕼIᗷIᗩᑎᔕ 🦎 🐍

Join us for a hands-on experience featuring REAL reptiles and amphibians!

📅 Tuesday, September 29
⏰ 10:00 am

You won’t want to miss this wild experience!

Fort Dodge Messenger
The Gowrie News
Gowrie Public Library
Dayton Leader
Dayton Public Library IOWA
Visit Fort Dodge
Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association
Fort Dodge Play & Learn Center

09/26/2026

Residents of Ames, Cambridge, Gilbert, Huxley, Nevada, Story City, and unincorporated Story County can dispose of yard waste at no charge during Fall No-Charge Yard Waste Days planned in October and November. The scheduled Saturdays are Oct. 24, Nov. 7 (includes brush), Nov. 14, and Nov. 21, at Steenhoek Environmental, 3892 N. 500th Avenue. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More information is available on the City of Ames website.

09/24/2026

SHARE WITH US - As part of an ongoing effort to better understand accessibility across our parks and facilities, we are conducting an ADA accessibility evaluation of our amenities.

A key part of this is hearing directly from people with disabilities and others who have experienced accessibility barriers while visiting our parks. Your experiences can help us better understand where barriers exist and what accessibility needs should be considered as we plan for the future.

🔗 Read full news release here: https://www.storycountyiowa.gov/m/NewsFlash/home/detail/4302

Those interested in sharing feedback will have two options:

💻Virtual Meeting
- Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 6 PM
- Learn about the accessibility evaluation and share your perspective

📋Online Survey
- Open September 23 to October 15

(Details for both events can be found at link above).

09/23/2026

Calling all bird lovers, curious kids, and nature enthusiasts! Join us to celebrate Hawk Watch at the Madrid Public Library for FREE, family-friendly programs all about Iowa’s amazing birds! Learn about owls, discover how to help birds in your own backyard, and try your hand at becoming a bird detective. 🦉🔎

Come learn, explore, and have a tweet-tastic time!

09/20/2026

09/20/2026

For those who participated on Saturday’s Wheels and Wings, hope you had a fun time. HOINT follows along a beautiful nature landscape. Lots of beautiful butterflies in the skies as well as on the trail.

09/18/2026

Opportunity to join our team right here in Iowa!