Parks
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Ottumwa Park Department
Our office is at the Beach Ottumwa, 101 Church St. 641-682-7873
Meet the Director:
 Gene Rathje oversees the Ottumwa Park department, manages the Beach Ottumwa and serves as the Superintendent for Ottumwa, Calavary and Ottumwa Jewish Cemeteries. He has a strong interest in outdoor recreation and personal fitness.
Gene holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Recreation from the University of Iowa and a Master of Science in Recreation and Park Administration from Western Illinois University. As a youth, Gene pitched and won Little League and Pony League state championships and played catcher on his high school state championship team. He also played high school football with Roger Craig and Jamie Williams of the San Francisco 49ers.
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Parks and natural resources within any community affect both the health of the local economy and the satisfaction that residents gain from their City. Ottumwa enjoys an abundance of park areas. The National Recreation and Park Association recommends one acre of parkland for every 100 residents. Ottumwa's ratio of 2.7 acres per 100 residents is nearly 3 times the national standard and points to a strong relationship between citizens and an outdoor, recreational lifestyle.
Ottumwa's Parks offer a wide variety of opportunities like: camping, fishing, bicycle and pedestrian trails, baseball and softball diamonds, children's playgrounds, disc golf, volleyball courts, picnic areas, tennis and basketball courts, performance stage areas, soccer fields and much more.
Most of Ottumwa's Parks have shelter buildings that are available for parties, reunions and other gatherings. To ask about Park shelter availability, call 641-682-7873.
