Creating, enhancing, and sustaining innovative parks and recreation opportunities in Cedar Rapids

Upcoming: 9th Annual Beers in the Barnyard

Thursday, October 8 · 5:30–8:30 PM · Old MacDonald’s Farm, Bever Park

Join Cedar Rapids Parks Foundation for our signature fundraising event of the year! Enjoy local beer and wine, food truck fare, alcohol-free options, and a silent auction you won’t want to miss — all in support of parks and recreation projects across Cedar Rapids.

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DONATE

Join our “Friends of CR Parks” team today and support the enhancement and advancement of our great Cedar Rapids parks and recreation programs.

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PROJECTS

Take a look at the projects that are making a big difference on the parks system and recreation opportunities in Cedar Rapids!

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EVENTS

Explore the many ways you can get involved with the Cedar Rapids Parks Foundation by attending one of our impactful community events!

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OUR STORY

The Cedar Rapids Parks Foundation is a grassroots volunteer citizens’ organization founded by members of the Cedar Rapids community who recognized a need to raise private funds for the Cedar Rapids park system for expansion and improvements.

 

Members of the City’s Parks, Recreation and Waterway commission; Parks Department and City Manager’s office were simultaneously looking for a solution to funding problems.

 

The Foundation rose out of these discussions and a desire to implement pieces of the city’s Master Plan and Greenway plans, as well as other projects.

 

The Foundation used privately sponsored projects such as Greene Square as an inspiration for what private groups can do to improve our city.

OUR MISSION

CREATE

Providing funding to test out a new project or program aligns with our mission to create accessible options for park users and neighborhoods. The Rollin’ Recmobile van fleet supports the delivery of recreation, education and food insecurity solutions to neighborhood parks. CRPF helped launch this program in 2020 in response to COVID challenges and post derecho storm recovery.

ENHANCE

In adding new amenities to our existing parks, donations to CRPF make them more resilient, accessible and enjoyable for all. Shade shelters in high need parks and capital support for community gardens in parks are two important examples of the ways in which CRPF recognizes need to enhance a park and funds the solutions.

SUSTAIN

Donations through CRPF help rebuild our parks from damages inflicted by time and nature—a high value purpose of our mission. Over $50,000 has been donated thus far through CRPF to ReLeaf for Parks,  supporting and sustaining the reforestation of our parks. Bever Park has been bolstered with financial resources to rebuild the farm wall and fences and sustain the esthetics and educational values of Old MacDonald’s Farm with the addition of the Urban Gardens, Butterfly Garden/Mural and the Silo Project.