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LMQC’s outdoor bloggers, Teri Stickler and Kaia, walk the paths and trails of Weed Park in Muscatine on a fine, fall day … and wait until you read what they found!
By Teri Stickler and her Samoyed, Kaia
Our local colors are spectacular, so Kaia and I took a little drive south to soak in some Midwest scenery. For a fun day trip, head down 45 minutes south on U.S. Hwy 22 to Weed Park in Muscatine, Iowa. It’s a gorgeous city park with biking, walking, river views, and a zoo sculpture garden!
LMQC Outdoor Blogger, Teri Stickler, and her faithful companion, Kaia, get lost in the weeds in Muscatine and LOVE it!
Getting lost in the weeds
Though I had often heard of Weed Park, I must admit, I had never taken the time to come and visit. If you are seeking a nice little road trip and a place to spend some outdoor time, Kaia puts her paw of approval on Weed Park, as do I. Well, not my paw, but a big thumb’s up!
It is a wonderful place, right in town for those who live in Muscatine and only a short drive for those not too far away.
The park is approximately 72 acres of park and lagoon (a perfect fishing spot for those 14 and under,) and it’s all right in town!
Though one can drive through the park, which is a nice way to get to know the lay of the land, there are many sites to take in while walking. Additionally, the running and bike trails, Riverfront Park 2.4 miles and Musser Park 4.0 miles are blacktop and have a bike repair station.
Most other trails are natural paths or gravel, and still others, routes of your own choosing across the well-manicured green space.
How Muscatine got a world-class rose garden at a bargain
The park has a gorgeous rose garden. Here, in the early 1900s, once stood the Weed Park Club House, a popular site for social events. Unfortunately, when the Club House burned down in 1939, the decision was made not to rebuild but instead to put in an “All American Rose” show garden to honor the park’s first owners, doctor, dentist, and most dear to his heart, horticulturist, James Weed and Mary, his wife. (The Weed family moved to Bloomington, now Muscatine, in 1839 and bought farmland.)
In May of 1899, the Weeds deeded to the City of Muscatine and the Muscatine Park and Floral Association, 63 acres of their land to be used as a park.
The price? Just one dollar.
Check out the wild side of Weed Park’s “Zoo Garden”
Near the rose garden is the park’s “Zoo Garden.” This sculpture garden pays tribute to a former small zoo, once a popular part of the park, which many early residents remember fondly. In 1980 the zoo was permanently closed, and the animals were re-homed. Dolly the Elephant moved to the Denver Zoo, but the memories remain.
Today’s Zoo Garden features many large metal sculptures of various animals, lion, bison, elephant, turtle, and many more, spaced along a walking path and past various floral highlights.
A good-sized pavilion with fireplace and a historic log cabin, once used to house the zoo’s reptiles, all make for a perfect place to stop and have a bite of lunch. As we relaxed, Kaia and I enjoyed the views and the sunshine, after which we continued our explorations.
Even more to see
Not far from the Zoo Garden Trail and near the park’s main entrance we came upon a set of dual stone wheels and two cannons, dated 1910, mounted on iron bases.
Next, we crossed a wooden footbridge spanning a ravine and headed to the park’s lagoon. While ducks and geese were availing themselves in the serenity of the pond, Kaia found the water to be an attraction difficult to pass up.
And so, once again, we walked another foot bridge and found a way down to the water’s edge where she was able to wade in and get a cool drink.
Also, where she had a bit of a surprise as she walked on a submerged slab on concrete, only to step off the edge and found herself using her swimming skills to get back on land.
This ‘dip,” of course, only did more to excite her as she shook it all off and wanted to run wild. Not so fun for me, as I laughed with her, but tried my best to remind her that she was on a leash, and I was at the other end.
Today the 72-acre park has modern restroom facilities, parking and picnic areas, several shelters, eight tennis courts plus sand pit volleyball courts, all for public use. Additionally, the park also boasts two playground areas. Both are very attractive.
The largest of the two offers a huge assortment of swings and structures to challenge and excite any child (and might be difficult for some adults to stay away from as well). Of the two playgrounds, the largest playground looks to be handicapped accessible.
In the summer one can enjoy a fabulous aquatic center with a large swimming pool and water slide. Obviously, at this time of year, Kaia and I could only look and imagine what summer months would witness.
Overall, the park is worth the trip!
Venture on.
LINKS to help you plan your trip to Weed Park and Muscatine …
Check out Teri and Kaia’s pictures from their most recent adventure …
Our local colors are spectacular, so Kaia and I took a little drive south to soak in some Midwest scenery. For a fun day trip, head down 45 minutes south on U.S. Hwy 22 to Weed Park in Muscatine, Iowa. It’s a gorgeous city park with biking, walking, river views, and a zoo sculpture garden!
LMQC Outdoor Blogger, Teri Stickler, and her faithful companion, Kaia, get lost in the weeds in Muscatine and LOVE it!
Getting lost in the weeds
Though I had often heard of Weed Park, I must admit, I had never taken the time to come and visit. If you are seeking a nice little road trip and a place to spend some outdoor time, Kaia puts her paw of approval on Weed Park, as do I. Well, not my paw, but a big thumb’s up!
It is a wonderful place, right in town for those who live in Muscatine and only a short drive for those not too far away.
The park is approximately 72 acres of park and lagoon (a perfect fishing spot for those 14 and under,) and it’s all right in town!
Though one can drive through the park, which is a nice way to get to know the lay of the land, there are many sites to take in while walking. Additionally, the running and bike trails, Riverfront Park 2.4 miles and Musser Park 4.0 miles are blacktop and have a bike repair station.
Most other trails are natural paths or gravel, and still others, routes of your own choosing across the well-manicured green space.
How Muscatine got a world-class rose garden at a bargain
The park has a gorgeous rose garden. Here, in the early 1900s, once stood the Weed Park Club House, a popular site for social events. Unfortunately, when the Club House burned down in 1939, the decision was made not to rebuild but instead to put in an “All American Rose” show garden to honor the park’s first owners, doctor, dentist, and most dear to his heart, horticulturist, James Weed and Mary, his wife. (The Weed family moved to Bloomington, now Muscatine, in 1839 and bought farmland.)
In May of 1899, the Weeds deeded to the City of Muscatine and the Muscatine Park and Floral Association, 63 acres of their land to be used as a park.
The price? Just one dollar.
Check out the wild side of Weed Park’s “Zoo Garden”
Near the rose garden is the park’s “Zoo Garden.” This sculpture garden pays tribute to a former small zoo, once a popular part of the park, which many early residents remember fondly. In 1980 the zoo was permanently closed, and the animals were re-homed. Dolly the Elephant moved to the Denver Zoo, but the memories remain.
Today’s Zoo Garden features many large metal sculptures of various animals, lion, bison, elephant, turtle, and many more, spaced along a walking path and past various floral highlights.
A good-sized pavilion with fireplace and a historic log cabin, once used to house the zoo’s reptiles, all make for a perfect place to stop and have a bite of lunch. As we relaxed, Kaia and I enjoyed the views and the sunshine, after which we continued our explorations.
Even more to see
Not far from the Zoo Garden Trail and near the park’s main entrance we came upon a set of dual stone wheels and two cannons, dated 1910, mounted on iron bases.
Next, we crossed a wooden footbridge spanning a ravine and headed to the park’s lagoon. While ducks and geese were availing themselves in the serenity of the pond, Kaia found the water to be an attraction difficult to pass up.
And so, once again, we walked another foot bridge and found a way down to the water’s edge where she was able to wade in and get a cool drink.
Also, where she had a bit of a surprise as she walked on a submerged slab on concrete, only to step off the edge and found herself using her swimming skills to get back on land.
This ‘dip,” of course, only did more to excite her as she shook it all off and wanted to run wild. Not so fun for me, as I laughed with her, but tried my best to remind her that she was on a leash, and I was at the other end.
Today the 72-acre park has modern restroom facilities, parking and picnic areas, several shelters, eight tennis courts plus sand pit volleyball courts, all for public use. Additionally, the park also boasts two playground areas. Both are very attractive.
The largest of the two offers a huge assortment of swings and structures to challenge and excite any child (and might be difficult for some adults to stay away from as well). Of the two playgrounds, the largest playground looks to be handicapped accessible.
In the summer one can enjoy a fabulous aquatic center with a large swimming pool and water slide. Obviously, at this time of year, Kaia and I could only look and imagine what summer months would witness.
Overall, the park is worth the trip!
Venture on.
LINKS to help you plan your trip to Weed Park and Muscatine …
Check out Teri and Kaia’s pictures from their most recent adventure …
Teri Stickler
Outdoor Blogger and Co-Adventurer
Meet Teri Stickler. Teri is a retired Quad-City teacher. She thoroughly enjoys the out-of-doors, sharing most of her adventures with her Samoyed companion, Kaia.
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