North Liberty’s Playground Crawl Returns Saturday, May 21
Back by popular demand, North Liberty’s second annual Playground Crawl is Saturday, May 21. So, fire up the carpool text thread and make group shirts because your college experience will finally pay off at this fun-filled afternoon. Here’s all you need to know:
The five Ws
- Who: Designed for children ages two through eight and their caregivers. Free and no tickets needed.
- What: Spend the day with your household exploring the city’s playgrounds and enjoy special treats, activities and giveaways at each stop.
- Where: Five parks around town. See details below.
- When: Saturday, May 21, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Why: To discover new areas of North Liberty — and burn some energy!
The stops
Listed in no particular order. Please hop around to the parks between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. as you wish. In addition to exploring the play structures at each park, kids will be offered a complimentary snack (all allergy conscious) and drink at each location, and are invited to participate in an activity led by the organizations noted below.
- Deerfield Park, 1415 Browning Drive
- Play with the Iowa Children Museum’s larger than life Imagination Playground blue blocks, wooden ramps, pathways and assorted loose parts for a hands-on building experience.
- Collect swag and enjoy a complimentary snack and drink from GEICO Philanthropic Foundation
- Snag a 2022 commemorative kids Playground Crawl color-changing cup from the city’s Neighborhood Ambassadors
- Quail Ridge Park, 920 W Zeller St
- Navigate a minefield obstacle course, a craft challenge and more with United Action for Youth
- Snag a 2022 commemorative kids Playground Crawl color-changing cup and enjoy a complimentary snack and drink from the city’s Neighborhood Ambassadors
- Centennial Park, 1565 St Andrews Drive
- Visit with members of the fire department and see a fire truck (dependent on call volume)
- Learn about dive equipment from NLPD officers
- Create a plane with only cardboard, tape, string and markers and bring it to Centennial Park for your chance to win up to a $100 gift card from the Eastern Iowa Airport – CID! Participants are encouraged to create their cardboard plane prior to the Playground Crawl, but limited supplies will also be provided at Centennial Park. Limit of two entries per household. Winners will be randomly drawn and notified on the afternoon of May 23.
- Enjoy a complimentary snack and drink from Eastern Iowa Airport – CID
- Beaver Kreek Park, 218 S Chestnut St
- Launch stomp rockets with Boy Scouts of America, Hawkeye Area Council
- Play with bubbles and other fun games with the North Liberty Community Pantry
- Snag a 2022 commemorative kids Playground Crawl color-changing cup and enjoy a complimentary snack and drink from the city’s Neighborhood Ambassadors
- Creekside Commons Park, 1350 Sadler Drive
- Create SWAPS (Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere) pins with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois
- Play yard games (giant SORRY!, yard dice, bags, speedminton), run through an obstacle course and enjoy a complimentary snack and drink with Community Center staff
Getting around
Feel free to visit the parks with your own vehicle in whichever order you choose.
- Lot parking available at Centennial and Quail Ridge parks.
- Residential street parking available at Creekside Commons, Beaver Kreek and Deerfield parks.
For those in need of or interested in transportation, two 15-passenger City of North Liberty vans will continuously circle between the five parks for the duration of the event.
- Vans will start at Creekside Commons Park and Deerfield Park at 2 p.m. Transportation will concluded at 5 p.m., so please plan ahead.
- Vans will fill on a first come, first served basis. If you miss the van, it should only be a 15-minute wait for another one.
- Riders with children under 5 years of age should plan to bring their own car or booster seat. You will need to remove the seat and take it with you at each park stop.
- During the event, call (319) 626-5757 with transportation questions.
Food and drink
Kids will be offered a complimentary snack (all allergy conscious) and drink at each location, thanks to our partners at Costco. You are welcome to pack your own snacks as well.
What to bring
Sunscreen, water bottles and anything else your party might need playing outside. Complimentary snacks and drinks will be provided at each location as supplies last.
You also might be wondering
- We’re watching the weather forecast. Any cancellations or delays will be posted in the Facebook event by 12 p.m. the day of the event.
- Yes, there will be permanent or portable toilets available at each park.
- Yes, dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash and you clean up after them.
- The use of tobacco, nicotine, vape and other electronic smoking devices are prohibited in North Liberty parks, trails and public recreation areas.
- Since this event is outside, there are no additional COVID mitigations.
Who to thank
This event is part of the City Slate. The yearlong schedule of events is made possible by Adam Schechinger State Farm, Centro, Inc, The Eastern Iowa Airport – CID, GEICO Philanthropic Foundation, Hills Bank, MidWestOne Bank, Shive-Hattery, South Slope Cooperative, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics and Veridian Credit Union.
Stay in the loop
Any cancellations or delays will be posted in the Facebook event.
Share your photos with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Stay connected with the City by subscribing to the North Liberty Bulletin or signing up for news alerts.
Accessibility
We’re committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation at our events for individuals with disabilities.
For accommodations, please reach out to [email protected] or call (319) 626-5755.
More City Slate Fun
This event is part of the City Slate, a compilation of North Liberty’s largest and free city-produced events, with more than 40 events planned in 2022. Explore the schedule at northlibertyiowa.org/cityslate.
