Parks & Recreation

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Parks & Recreation

It is almost impossible to visit Sac City without passing by one of our beautiful parks or green spaces Historic Chautauqua Park, Criss Park, and Riverview Park nestle along the winding North Raccoon River. South Park allows children of all ages to enjoy tennis, pickleball, volleyball, swim, or enjoy the playground equipment. Cattail Cove, in the heart of the business district, is a great pocket park to enjoy lunch, coffee with friends, or just some quiet time. Public picnic areas are available at all of these parks. Legacy Field celebrates the long tradition of Little League Baseball in Sac City. Freedom Rock Park and the adjacent county-owned Monument Square pay tribute to those who risked their lives in service to our country.

Recreation opportunities abound in Sac City. Summer activities include kayaking/canoeing, baseball, and softball, swim team, disc golf, biking, hiking, fishing, and camping. Sac County is a popular area for hunters. Wintertime finds residents and visitors enjoying snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Contact

Jackie Lents
Park/Campground Custodian
712-662-4295
104 Park Avenue, Sac City, Iowa 50583

Park Rental Agreement Alcohol Policy

South Park

Sac City’s South Park has seen a complete makeover since 2019 with the construction of a new shelter house, new playground equipment, new basketball, sand volleyball, tennis, and pickleball courts. Located next to the Sac Country Club and Sac Aquatic Center, South Park is a beautiful, perfect place for friends and family of all ages to gather and have fun!

Criss Park

John Criss built Criss Gazebo to honor his great grandfather, Judge Eugene Criss, who founded Sac City. John donated the property and gazebo to the city. A bust of Judge Criss and beautiful landscaping have been provided by the John H. Criss Trust. In addition to serving as a great place to gather overlooking the North Raccoon River, the park is home to the trailhead for bike routes around Sac City.

Cattail Cove

Located in the center of downtown Sac City, Cattail Cove offers a gathering space in the heart of the business district. Voted the 2020 Best Beautification Project by Main Street Iowa, this unique setting is a great place to take in the sights of historic downtown Sac City.

Chautauqua Park

Located in the Raccoon River Valley, Chautauqua Park is home to the only complete Chautauqua Building in the state. Constructed in 1908, the Chautauqua Building has been home to thousands of community events and is still used to this day. Located along the Raccoon River, Chautauqua Park also has carry-in access to the Raccoon River Water Trail. A shelter house and new playground offers another great play for family events.

Chautauqua Park Historic District

Riverview (Lions) Park

Also along the Raccoon River, Riverview Park is adjacent to Oakland Cemetery on the north side of town. With donations by the East Sac County FFA and Sac City Lions Club, Riverview Park is a great place for events. New river access, primitive camping, and other amenities are currently being constructed in the park to allow for a fun environment along the Raccoon River.

Sac City Aquatic Center

One of the most popular activities in town, the Sac City Aquatic Center is fun for all ages! The pool offers recreational swimming with two slides and a diving board.

Aquatic Center Page

Riverside Campground

Located along the Raccoon River and adjacent to Chautauqua Park, Riverside Campground offers a peaceful secluded area for camping while still being a five-minute short walk from downtown Sac City. Camping in Sac City’s Riverside Campgrounds is on a first-come basis. Spaces accommodate both campers/RVs and tent camping.
Rates

Site 1-20, 30 and 50 amps, includes use of dump site–$17 per night, pay for 6 nights, and the 7th is free.
Tent camping on grass: $13 with electricity, $10 with no electricity.
Dump Site: $5 for non-campers
Checkout is 1 pm.

Thanks to all campers for cooperating with these general rules for campground so you and others may have a wonderful experience at Riverside Campground. A complete set of rules is posted at the park entrance.

1. No camping party or camping unit of any kind shall occupy and campsite more than 14 consecutive days.

2. The cutting of dead or living trees is absolutely prohibited under any circumstances.

3. All pets must be kept on a leash at all times.

4. Fires may be built only in designated areas.

5. All visitors must be out of the park by 10:30 pm.

6. Licensed motor vehicles must be operated by licensed drivers only. Minibikes and various all-terrain vehicles are prohibited.

7. Good campers respect other park users by keeping noise at a reasonable level.

North Raccoon River Water Trails

Located in the Raccoon River Valley, Sac City offers great access to kayaking, canoeing, and other fun activities on the North Raccoon River Water Trails. Sac City has multiple carry-in access points through town with riverside primitive camping and other amenities currently in progress!

Map and Information

North Raccoon River Nature Trail

Created in 2021, this new trail makes for a great 45-minute walk along the Raccoon River. Located next to Riverside Park and Oakland Cemetery, this trail is close to downtown while also having a secluded feel, making it a perfect place to get away for an afternoon walk with your dog or a friend!

Primitive Campground

Whether sporting a canoe or kayak, the North Raccoon River is a wonderful place to enjoy Sac City’s natural beauty. Constructing a new river access in Riverview (Lions) Park will allow even greater enjoyment of the river. Primitive camping and other amenities will be coming soon.

Sac Country Club

A beautiful nine-hole golf course on the outskirts of Sac City, Sac Country Club offers recreational golfing as well as league play throughout the week.

Sac Community Center

The Sac Community Center provides recreation opportunities and serves as a gathering place for area residents. When the community built a new elementary school, local residents united to transform a portion of the old elementary building into a valuable community asset. A full-size gymnasium, the first indoor school pool in the state of Iowa, exercise equipment, a children’s playground, meeting rooms and many bustling activities create an area that is truly at the center of community activities

Community Center Page

Recreational Trails Committee

Sac City Trails Committee has worked to develop and improve both bike trails and water trails in and around Sac City. Developing a trail head in Criss Park, complete with a bike repair station, and marking various on-street trails helps attract visitors and keep residents active. The North Raccoon River is a great resource for kayaking and canoeing. Cleaning the riverway, removing parts of an old bridge, and improving access to the river are all significant parts of the committee’s plan that is quickly providing additional opportunities in Sac City.

Map and Information