Summer Send-off: Community Activity Highlights for August 2024

You can get a copy of the full guide to classes and programs in our Community Center, which includes our Recreation Center, Library, Aquatic Center, Gerdin Conference Center and other spaces, published three times each year, in person at the Community Center, 520 W. Cherry St., or online. These highlights of the coming month are published on the third Thursday of each month. You can sign up to have this emailed to you at northlibertyiowa.org/subscribe.

News & Updates

• The guide for fall programs, held September through December, is now online and in print at the Community Center. Registration for most recreation programs starts Aug. 5 for residents and Aug. 7 for everyone else.
• The last day of outdoor pool season is Sept. 1. Through then, members access starts at 12 p.m. and general public begins at 1 p.m. The pool is open until 9 p.m. on weekdays and 6 p.m. on weekends.

In Case You Missed It

Applications for North Liberty’s Youth Council, made up of high-school students living or attending school in North Liberty, and the Neighborhood Ambassador programs are being accepted.

City Slate Events

There’s always something free and fun to do in North Liberty. The City Slate offers events all year long, and is made free with the support of A2Z Heating and Plumbing, Centro, Inc, Collins Community Credit Union, The Eastern Iowa Airport – CID, Hills Bank, MidWestOne Bank, South Slope Cooperative, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Urban Acres Real Estate and Veridian Credit Union. More at northlibertyiowa.org/cityslate.

National Night Out
Aug. 6, 5 – 7 p.m., Penn Meadows Park, Free
Spend an evening in Penn Meadows Park with fellow residents, North Liberty public safety and Johnson County emergency service organizations. Free dinner and activities will be provided to celebrate National Night Out, the annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.

Swim Storytime
Aug. 9, 9:30 & 10:30 a.m., Outdoor Pool, Free
Join the library and lifeguards for a story time and a free open swim at the outdoor pool.

Street Dance
Aug. 17, 5 – 10 p.m., N. Dubuque Street from Main Street to Front Street, Free
Send off summer with a block party! We’re closing down Dubuque St from new City Hall to the Main St intersection for an evening of live music from Trophy Dads, dancing, beverages from Reds Alehouse and J&A Tap, food trucks and games.

Other Upcoming Events

Binspire – Messy Play Dates
Aug. 10, 10 a.m., Community Center, $15

Looking for a fun and messy way for your kids to have fun? Look no further than BinSpire LLC’s play dates! These outdoor events will have various stations set up with paint, water, mud, shaving cream, and more for your little ones to get messy. Our child-led, open-ended play encourages creativity, builds confidence, and helps children experience new textures and practice social skills. And the best part? We’ll take care of the clean-up at the end, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Bring your kids in clothes that can get messy and let them explore and play with us. Geared for ages three to eight years old.

Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers

Ag Storytime
August 12, 10:30 a.m., Ranshaw House lawn, Free
Through fun and hands-on activities Johnson County Farm Bureau will educate youth about the importance of agriculture in our everyday life. This session students will learn to associate different animals, crops and machines with agriculture.

Doodlebugs with the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
August 26, 10:30 a.m., Library, Free
Howdy, hombre: Make some monochromatic magic today, and learn about tints, tones, and shades. Every Doodlebugs class starts with a story and ends with imagination and creation!

School-Aged Youth

Movie Mondays
Mondays, 1 – 3 p.m., Library, Free
Join us in a matinee showing of a recent animated movie. Bring your own snacks and blankets to get cozy for a relaxing movie afternoon!

Tweendom
Wednesdays, 1 – 2 p.m., Library, Free
4^th to 6^th graders, come to the library weekly to participate in crafts and activities curated by the youth and teen librarians!

Teen Thursday
Thursdays, 3 – 4 p.m., Library, Free
7^th to 12^th graders, come to the library weekly to participate in crafts and activities curated by the youth and teen librarians!

Junior Optimists (JOI) Club Ice Cream Social
August 7, 6:30 p.m., Library, Free
4^th-8^th graders interested in giving back to the community are invited to stop by for ice cream, meet current JOI members and learn more about club projects and activities.

Supreme Flag Football League (NFL Flag)
Sundays Aug. 25 through Oct. 27, 12 – 6 p.m., Coralville Youth Sports Park and Tiffin Park, $75

Designed to teach game fundamentals and to provide equal participation. This program is in cooperation with Coralville and Tiffin. Sign up in North Liberty to be placed with other North Liberty players. This program includes a mini-camp July 30 and Aug. 1 from 6 to 7:30 at Tiffin Park in Tiffin.

Supreme Volleyball League
Tuesdays, Aug. 28 through Oct. 22, 6 – 8:30 p.m., Community Center and GreenState Family Fieldhouse, $50

Designed to teach game fundamentals and to provide equal participation. This program is in cooperation with Coralville and Tiffin. Sign up in North Liberty to be placed with other North Liberty players.  Weekly practice are Sundays, Mondays, or Wednesdays and days and times will vary depending on the team and volunteer coaches’ schedules. Includes a clinic on Aug. 13.

Fall Outdoor Soccer
Aug. 26 through Oct. 26, Penn Meadows Park, $60 or $90

Our Fall Outdoor Soccer program offers two options: recreation, which meets Thursdays for guided practice of fundamentals, and hybrid, which meets Monday or Tuesday for practice and Saturday for games. Jason Witt and his coaches combine professional coaching with an age-appropriate fun.

Adults & Senior

Conversational English Group
Mondays, 6 – 7 p.m., Library, Free
Improve your English language skills in a relaxed and welcoming setting. This group is open to language learners of all levels and sessions are designed to help you build your confidence and fluency in English through interactive activities and discussions. You’ll have the opportunity to practice speaking, listening, and comprehension skills with other learners in a supportive and welcoming environment.

55+ Connections: Tuesday Gathering
Tuesdays, 10:30 AM, Library, Free
Join us for a weekly social gathering that will feature rotating activities and friendly conversation – board games, puzzles, art, book discussions, and more!