Jones County Local Farmers Market - At Central Park!
Central Park - North Side Near Nature Center
12515 Central Park Rd
Center Junction
August 16, 2025
1:00 pm · 3:00 pm
Mark your calendars for the new Jones County Local Farmers Market sponsored by Jones County Tourism Association! Check out whats available at the new local market at Central Park this summer. Market dates include Saturday June 28th, July 19th, and August 16th. Market vendors will be on site from 1-3 PM and will be located on the Nature Center side of the lake.
For More Information
Contact: Kaileen Weaver
(319) 462-4101
director@traveljonescounty.com Website Posted by:
Conservation
Mushroom Foray
Central Park Nature Center
12515 Central Park Rd
Center Junction
August 23, 2025
9:00 am · 12:00 pm
Join the Prairie States Mushroom Club for an introduction to mushroom foraging followed by a hike around Central Park. August is an excellent time to look for fungi, whether edible or just beautiful! Expect to find oyster mushrooms, coral fungi, and perhaps chanterelles!
Meet at the Central Park Nature Center lower level meeting room at 9 AM. Wear hiking footwear and long pants and bring insect repellent. We will be heading off trail.
This program is sponsored by the Jones County Conservation Board, Prairie State Mushroom Club, and Ross and Elizabeth Baty Monticello Public Library.
For More Information
Contact: Michele Olson
(319) 481-7987
naturalist@jonescountyiowa.gov Website Posted by:
Conservation
Pine Needle Art Class - Pendants
Central Park Nature Center
12515 Central Park Rd
Center Junction
August 27, 2025
9:00 am · 1:00 pm
Come learn how to make beautiful pendants using pine needles. Get creative as you design some of your own pendants for necklaces, ear rings, or bracelets. All materials will be provided. Classes will take place from 9 AM - 1 PM in the lower level meeting room of the Central Park Nature Center. A lite lunch will be provided by the Friends of Jones County Conservation and Nature Center. This class is sponsored by the Jones County Conservation Board and Friends of Jones County Conservation and Nature Center. Participants must register for each class separately. $10 cost per person per class. Click here to register.
For More Information
Contact: Michele Olson
(319) 481-7987
naturalist@jonescountyiowa.gov Website Posted by:
Conservation
Central Park Bumble Bee Survey
Central Park Nature Center
12515 Central Park Rd
Center Junction
August 30, 2025
3:00 pm · 5:00 pm
Head to the Central Park Nature Center on Saturday June 21, July 19, and August 30th from 3-5 PM to take part in the 2025 Central Park Bumble Bee Survey! Learn about the Iowa Bumble Bee Atlas and help survey the bumble bees of Central Park.
For More Information
Contact: Michele Olson
(319) 481-7987
naturalist@jonescountyiowa.gov Website Posted by:
Conservation
Monarch Tagging
Central Park Nature Center
12515 Central Park Rd
Center Junction
September 3, 2025
1:00 pm · 5:00 pm
Become a scientist for a day! Bring your family to Central Park to learn about, capture, and tag migrating monarch butterflies. Bring your own net or borrow one of ours. Check-in at the Central Park Nature Center to receive instructions and tagging equipment. This is a come and go event - stay for an hour or the entire time:-)
For More Information
Contact: Michele Olson
(319) 481-7987
michele.olson@jonescountyiowa.gov Website Posted by:
Conservation
Monarch Tagging
Central Park Nature Center
12515 Central Park Rd
Center Junction
September 10, 2025
1:00 pm · 5:00 pm
Become a scientist for a day! Bring your family to Central Park to learn about, capture, and tag migrating monarch butterflies. Bring your own net or borrow one of ours. Check-in at the Central Park Nature Center to receive instructions and tagging equipment. This is a come and go event - stay for an hour or the entire time:-)
For More Information
Contact: Michele Olson
(319) 481-7987
michele.olson@jonescountyiowa.gov Website Posted by:
Conservation
Monarch Tagging
Central Park Nature Center
12515 Central Park Rd
Center Junction
September 17, 2025
1:00 pm · 5:00 pm
Become a scientist for a day! Bring your family to Central Park to learn about, capture, and tag migrating monarch butterflies. Bring your own net or borrow one of ours. Check-in at the Central Park Nature Center to receive instructions and tagging equipment. This is a come and go event - stay for an hour or the entire time:-)
For More Information
Contact: Michele Olson
(319) 481-7987
michele.olson@jonescountyiowa.gov Website Posted by:
Conservation
Monarch Tagging
Central Park Nature Center
12515 Central Park Rd
Center Junction
September 24, 2025
1:00 pm · 5:00 pm
Become a scientist for a day! Bring your family to Central Park to learn about, capture, and tag migrating monarch butterflies. Bring your own net or borrow one of ours. Check-in at the Central Park Nature Center to receive instructions and tagging equipment. This is a come and go event - stay for an hour or the entire time:-)
For More Information
Contact: Michele Olson
(319) 481-7987
michele.olson@jonescountyiowa.gov Website Posted by:
Conservation
15th Annual Healthiest State Walk - Central Park
Central Park Nature Center
12515 Central Park Rd
Center Junction
October 1, 2025
12:00 pm · 1:00 pm
Meet at the Central Park Nature Center at Noon for a relaxing guided walk around Central Park Lake.
The Annual Walk is an opportunity to join thousands of other Iowans statewide in walking for at least 30 minutes!
Grab your friends or family to join us for a scenic walk while participating in the 15th Annual Healthiest State Iowa Walk event!
For more information visit: https://www.iowahealthieststate.com/events/annual-walk
For More Information
Contact: Michele Olson
(319) 481-7987
michele.olson@jonescountyiowa.gov Website Posted by:
Conservation
Central Park Lake Fall Colors Sunset Floats
Central Park Lake
12515 Central Park Rd
Center Junction
October 2, 2025
5:00 pm · 7:00 pm
Enjoy a paddle on Central Park Lake. Join in for a fun and relaxing introduction to flat water kayaking. You will learn the basics of kayak safety and paddling, followed by a peaceful paddle on Central Park Lake. The perfect way to enjoy the vibrant fall colors and beautiful autumn sunset.
Registration required - visit https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Jones/Events to register.
This event is for ages 12 and up.
All equipment provided.
For More Information
Contact: Michele Olson
(319) 481-7987
michele.olson@jonescountyiowa.gov Website Posted by:
Conservation
Foraging Series
Willow Park
511 East Oak Street
Monticello
October 15, 2025
4:00 pm
Join Monticello Parks and Recreation Staff and Jones County Conservation Naturalist, Michele Olson, for a foraging hike. Learn how to safely identify, harvest, and enjoy nature's wild bounty! Mark your calendar for the following Foraging Series outing dates: Spring: April 30th, 4 PM Willow Park, Monticello. Summer: July 9th, 4 PM Riverside Gardens, Monticello. Fall: October 15th, 4 PM, Central Park Nature Center. Wear hiking footwear, comfortable tick and Mosquitoe proof clothing, a hat, and sunscreen. Bring a water bottle and insect repellent.
For More Information
Contact: Michele Olson
(319) 481-7987
naturalist@jonescountyiowa.gov Website Posted by:
Conservation
Central Park Lake Fall Colors Sunset Floats
Central Park Lake
12515 Central Park Rd
Center Junction
October 16, 2025
5:00 pm · 7:00 pm
Enjoy a paddle on Central Park Lake. Join in for a fun and relaxing introduction to flat water kayaking. You will learn the basics of kayak safety and paddling, followed by a peaceful paddle on Central Park Lake. The perfect way to enjoy the vibrant fall colors and beautiful autumn sunset.
Registration required - visit https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Jones/Events to register.
This event is for ages 12 and up.
All equipment provided.
For More Information
Contact: Michele Olson
(319) 481-7987
michele.olson@jonescountyiowa.gov Website Posted by:
Conservation
Providing programs and recreational opportunities that preserve and enhance our natural and cultural resources. Residents and visitors are encouraged to join us in the great outdoors, exploring Jones County's many parks, wildlife areas, and trails.
