To download the newest Community Center brochure as PDF, click the brochure thumbnail.

North Liberty Blues & BBQ

It’s the 6th annual celebration for this FREE, family-friendly event. Held Saturday, May 26 from 11AM until 11PM at Liberty Centre. (Rain date May 27) Kids enjoy fishing, jumping in the bouncy house, visiting the petting zoo, speed pitching, running the obstacle course and getting temporary tattoos. There’s even face painting, balloons, bean-bag toss and ladder ball, too. Most of the games end at 7PM, so get there early! The rest of the party goes until 11PM, though, so chill in the beverage garden (ID required) while the whole family listens to live blues music from artists such as Ernie Peniston, the Bryce Janey Group, Kevin BF Burt, and more. Mouth-watering barbecue is served throughout the day. We’re bringing back FIREWORKS, too. For information, visit www.northlibertyiowa.org/bluesandbbq.
It’s one day, one party, one cool time!

Diners’ Club – Summer

Participants will discuss aspects of restaurants. Included are free babysitting services. The Club will use the NoJoCo and sites such as Yelp and UrbanSpoon to spread the word. Sign up to receive a 3 month black & gold membership from 2/1 – 5/1. Participants must attend 2 out of 3 dates or pay for the difference. Price does not include the meal.
Ages: 21 & up
Dates: June 1 – September 1. One dine per month, locations TBA
Time: 6PM; Meet at NLRC and travel via van to location.
Fee: Res; $50, Non-res $60(includes NLRC membership; $15 for just Diners’ Club – no NLRC membership)

Photo-Awcity

Get the cameras out! Everyone is encouraged to take photos throughout the community and submit their favorite five in our contest! Photo submission and registration required by June 30. Entries will be posted at the NLRC and judged by Recreation Staff on July 1.  Winner to receive a $25 gift certificate to the NLRC and photo will be featured in an upcoming brochure.
Ages: All
Fee: FREE
Registration: Registration forms can be picked up at the NLRC. For information contact Matt Meseck at 626-5716.

Outdoor & Nature Education (O.N.E.) Packs

Exploring the outdoors continues! Ten backpacks are available to get children/families involved in the outdoors through the support of the Iowa DNR Resource Enhancement and Protection Conservation Education Program (Grant # 11-11). These packs can be taken to local parks or natural areas and are filled with fun & educational activities. Pack themes include: Aquatic Habitats, Birds, Rocks & Minerals, Outdoor Skills, Creatures of the Night, Animals of Iowa, Trees, Insects & Spiders, Wildflowers & Prairies, and the Wild Turkey
Session: Summer Months
Days/Times: Any day of the week; Packs can be checked out for two weeks at a time.
Fee: FREE
Deposit & Registration: Pack rental forms must be completed and a credit card number will be taken for a deposit. Any lost or broken items will be charged to credit card on file.

Geo-caching

Stop by the NLRC and rent a hand held GPS unit for a fun and explorative outdoor activity! Locating four landmarks in the city parks will be your goal. A free bike helmet will be given to those who are able to find and correctly identify the landmark. When registering for the GPS, coordinates will be given. A credit card number will be taken at time of rental for deposit purposes.
Ages: 12 years & up
Rental Times: Anytime
Instruction: GPS instruction provided M/T/W/F from 6AM-2:30PM; TH from 6AM-12:15PM
Fee: $5 per rental

Community Gardens

Garden plots available in North Liberty; East of Penn Meadows Sports Complex and offered on a first come, first serve basis. Plot sizes are 10 x 30 ft. A hydrant is available for water. No hose hook-ups are allowed. Individuals need to bring buckets to transport water to plot. Plots must be cleared by November 1.
Session: Planting may begin May 1.
Registration: 2011 Plot Holders in person starting April 5, 6AM at the NLRC.
New Plot Holders in person starting April 13, 6AM at the NLRC.
Plot number assigned after registration, payment, and lease agreement are completed.
Fee per plot: Res $30, Non-res $35

Fishing Pole Rental

Rod and reels available at the NLRC free of charge, during regular business hours. A credit card number will be taken at time of rental for deposit purposes. As long as all equipment is returned in the same shape, the card will not be charged. All equipment must be returned to the NLRC by the end of day it was rented.
Ages: 12 years & up
Session: Summer months
Rental Times: Monday-Fridays; 6AM-8:30PM; Saturdays & Sundays; 8AM-5:30PM
If damaged, replacement fees are $7.50: rods, $10: reel.

Discount Amusement Park Tickets

Get your tickets at the NLRC before you go to Adventureland or Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines or Lost Island Water Park in Waterloo. Discounts are as follows:
Adventureland: $31 per person; 3 year olds and under or children 48 inches tall or less = FREE (This is a savings of $2 for ages 4-9 and a savings of $8 for ages 10 and older.)
Blank Park Zoo: $5 for ages 3-12 and $9 for ages 13-64; 2 year olds and under = FREE (This is a savings of $1 for ages 3-12 and a savings of $2 for ages 13-64.)
Lost Island Water Park: $23 per person. 3 years old and under = FREE. (This is a savings of $2 for all.)

Free Fishing Weekend

Come join us at Liberty Centre for a day of free fishing and aquatic education organized by the Iowa DNR, Scheels All-Sports and City of North Liberty. Bring your own poles to catch anything from blue gill to catfish. Learn how to properly cast, view tanks containing various species of Iowa fish, learn about water and boat safety. Enjoy a free hot dog or fried fish. Stick around until the end of event to win free fishing related items!
Ages: All families, kids 9 years & under must be accompanied by adult
Session: Saturday, June 2
Time: 10AM-2PM
Fee: FREE

Classic Oldies Cruise with Celebration Belle

Come aboard the Celebration Belle and relive the classic hits from the 30s, 40s and 50s. Live entertainment plays the hits during this 4 hour cruise. The cruise includes homemade sticky rolls and fruit, full hot 2 entree buffet luncheon, and afternoon snack. Coffee and iced tea is included. A full bar is available for those who want to purchase more. The riverboat is air-conditioned for comfort. Cruise sails from Dubuque.
Ages: All welcome
Session: Wednesday, July 11
Times: Depart from NLRC at 8:30AM; Cruise 11AM-3PM;
Return to NLRC at approx. 5PM
Fee: Adults $70, Youth (12 years & up) $60
Registration deadline: July 10

Cubs/Cards Baseball Game

Last year Chicago, this year St. Louis! Chicago Cubs versus World Champions, St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Register early, spots fill up fast! Don’t worry about the hassle of getting tickets, driving, tolls, or parking because we have it covered.
Ages: 18 & up (unless accompanied by an adult)
Session: Sunday, July 22
Time: Charter to leave NLRC at 6AM; Game Time: 1:15PM; Charter to Leave St. Louis at 5:30PM; Return to NLRC at 11PM
Fee: $75 per person (Price includes ticket & charter)
Cancellation Policy: If trip is canceled completely; participants lose $18 for tickets since they are non-refundable. Participants have the option to obtain ticket and provide own transportation to St. Louis or receive a refund minus the $18. No other refund requests granted.
Registration Deadline: July 6

CR Kernels / City of North Liberty Night

North Liberty residents: it’s our night out at the ballpark. Partake in the fun on a Saturday night! Post-game concert by the Cedar Island Band and there are fireworks.
Ages: Families
Session: Saturday, August 11
Game Time: 5:05PM
Fee: $7 per person (ticket only); $15 per person (ticket & transportation); kids 3 & under FREE.
Individuals may drive themselves or NLRC will provide transportation for at least (30) individuals.
Registration Deadline: August 1

Aquatic Center Special Events

Double Dollar Days

Help us celebrate the summer months of the outdoor pool season for only two dollars!
Ages: All
Session: Saturday & Sunday, June 2 & 3; July 7 & 8;
Aug 4 & 5
Time: 12(Noon)-6PM
Location: Outdoor Pool
Fee: $2 per person

Free Pool Movie Night

Let’s beat the summer heat by the pool side with a family friendly movie. Bring your family, friends, and floats to enjoy a movie at the Outdoor Pool. Free popcorn is offered. Check the city website to vote on the movie to be shown.
All: All Families; children under 9 years must be accompanied by an adult.
Session: Friday, July 20
Time: 6:30-10PM – movie starts at dusk
Location: Outdoor Pool
Fee: FREE

Doggie Plunge

Bring your dog for some fun in the sun/water at the 3rd Annual Doggie Plunge! Please one dog per person and have proof of current rabies and distemper vaccinations present the day of event. Individuals are not allowed to “swim” in water with dogs since water is not chemically treated for dogs’ safety.
Ages: Pet owners who are 16 years & up
Session: Sunday, September 9
Time: 11-4PM
Early Registration $5 per dog; Pay at the Door $7 per dog.