Iowa City Parks & Recreation Department holds national record for most athletic field environmental certifications

IOWA CITY — The Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department has earned an Environmentally Responsible Management certification from the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA).

There currently are only 45 facilities worldwide that have achieved the Environmentally Responsible Management certification. Iowa City currently holds the record for having the most fields/complexes certified. The facilities include Mercer Park ball diamonds, City Park ball diamonds, Iowa City Kickers Soccer Complex and Napoleon Softball Field Complex.

This certification achievement is credited to the parks and forestry staff, who have established environmental best practices throughout all the Iowa City's outdoor sports facilities, Mercer Park ball diamonds, and City Park ball diamonds.

The environmental stewardship program certification is valid for three years and was awarded to each facility when they achieved a minimum of 80% compliance in each of the 10 categories that were evaluated. Following the compliance assessment, a walk-through of the facilities was performed to validate the environmental practices in place that make them sustainable sports fields for present and future generations.

This certification supports Iowa City's Climate Action Goals.