Tour of Parks
The Charles City, City Improvement Association began in 1902, when members of the St. Charles Women's Club saw the need for more care and attention for our city parks.

Today CIA owns 12 parks and provides maintenance for one other. Their purpose is to acquire, develop, and maintain park properties.

Andres Memorial Park

Andres Memorial Park is a prime historical park in Charles City. It was originally part of the land the Winnebago Indians owned and also the site of the McKinley School from 1871 to 1968 when it was destroyed by a tornado.

Memorial Park

The park is located at the site where Ardie's Barber Shop formerly stood. The park features a lighted fountain and was dedicated July 2, 1993.

Merten J. Klaus Park

Tucked in a corner adjacent to the Cedar River on the south end of Maple Avenue, this park was dedicated in 1980 to the memory of Merten J. Klaus. The lot was originally owned by the Charles City College. The park's gazebo and birdhouses make it an ideal place to bird watch.

City Improvement Association Park

This park, located on the corner of Brantingham and Clark, is the site of a Chris Bennett sculpture commissioned by CIA. The sculpture depicts a boy and his dog, "Haulin Gear".

Dana Park

This park located at the junction of North Main and North Grand was originally the site of the Leonard House Hotel. In June of 1930 the property was purchased by Ida Ellis Dana. Mrs. Ellis had the hotel razed and converted the property into a recreational park with lighted horseshoe courts. After her death, the area was deeded to the CIA in 1945.

Flora Ellis Park

Flora Ellis Park is on the north riverbank in back of Howard and Riverside Avenue. Formerly the "Old Lily Pond", this land was deeded to he CIA by W.W. Berkins. The land to the east was acquired from Flora Ellis on November 14, 1929. The stone retaining wall built in 1956 is an outstanding feature of this park.

Sunset Park

Sunset Park is located along the Cedar River bordering Howard Street between Blunt and Ferguson. The park was purchased in 1920 from Mrs. August Pickett. Benches have been placed to enhance enjoyment of the river view and the "sunsets" as befits the name of the park.

Kate McLeod Park

This park is located on the upper portion of Riverside Park at the end of Illinois Street and runs north to private property. This stone walled site had often been called "old bathing beach".

Riverside Park

Riverside Park is the strip of land between Riverside Drive and the Cedar River. It is bounded on the west and east by Illinois and Jackson Street. The block was the site of the Boat Livery until it was removed in 1950. The park features vintage lights and a walking path.

Mill Race Park

Located on Riverside Drive between Johnson Street and Main Street, Mill Race Park was the location of the first mill in the county. After a second mill was destroyed by fire, the Gem Theater was built on the site in1911 along with several small shops facing Main and Riverside Streets. This building was razed in 1972. In 1975 Mr. And Mrs. Allen Andres donated the original mill wheel.

Garden Court Park

Garden Court Park was purchased in 1995 from the city. It is the original site of the Legal Drug Store and is located on Main Street adjacent to Neighbor's Bakery. Park features include decorative wrought iron fencing, period lighting, and a brick pathway. Included in the landscaping are a wheel shaped herb garden constructed as a memorial to Carl and Katherine Stoecker, a rose garden, peonies and flowering trees and shrubs. Decorative tables with umbrellas and chairs provide a place for eating.

Grace Larson Park

Grace Larson Park is located on the corner of Main and Court Street (across from the Courthouse along the river). This area was originally occupied by Sylvesters Furniture, Frye and McCartney Law Offices and Ray's Pizza. The park was developed after the tornado of 1968. Flower boxes on the stone wall overlooking the river are planted each year.

Bayou Bend Park

This park is where the ducks and geese congregate. Bayou Bend Park extends along the river from South Joslin Street to Gilbert Street. The park was founded in 1946 when a group of businessmen volunteered to finance the cost of dredging the area.

Main Street Clock

In 1990 the CIA had a replica of the old city clock that once stood in Central Park build and placed on the Main Street side of the park. The original clock was purchased in 1926 by the American Legion Auxiliary and donated to the city. Due to the cost of repairs the clock was removed. The original face and hands of the old city clock are now on display at the Floyd County Museum.

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