Acouple months ago, one of the stories on Channel 13 News caught my attention.

In front of the Des Moines City Council was a group of parents who had something to say. What they told the City Council that there was “nothing to do in Des Moines for kids.”

I’m not joking, DES MOINES! The City Council said they would “look into it.”

I do hear this same sentiment from time to time from residents about Marshalltown.

I don’t agree, let me explain.

Growing up on a farm, one thing you never said to mom or dad is that you were bored. Like ever. I learned this the hard way, usually ending up on one end of a shovel. The message was clear, mom and dad were not there to entertain us. It was up to me to find something available and get involved. I got into Scouting and fishing.

Marshalltown Parks and Recreation has a dizzying array of programs and events, we have so many great parks to play and recreate in, Riverview Park has just been upgraded including fishing and horseshoe pits. Marshalltown has several miles of walking and biking paths, the Aquatic Center is opening and the Apgar Water Plaza will be open on June 6th. Basketball hoops abound, pickleball courts, tennis courts, an ATV riding park, a skateboard park, an 18 hole disc golf course, 3 golf courses (4 if you include Collison’s just north of Marshalltown), 3 ponds to fish on the south side of town, gymnastic classes, soccer fields, and updated Little League fields. The Marshalltown YMCA has several activities. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, weekly racing at the Marshalltown Speedway, an upgraded Friedley Theater with recliner seating. The Marshalltown Public Library continuously has reading challenges plus other fun activities. Getting a handful of books and reading under a tree is underrated in my opinion. How about doing a tour of art and sculptures in town? What about doing a walking tour uptown of the murals? Heck, sit on the courthouse lawn and watch the workers put in a new Main Street, it only happens every 100 years!

I bet if we put a list together of everything available for kids in Marshalltown, the list would go on and on.

I like to think that boredom is self-inflicted.

“If you are bored, you’re doing yourself a tremendous disservice. Open your mind, break-free from your conditioned routine, and reignite the flames of excitement and discovery.”

Steve Maraboli

From the Mayor’s Think Tank

From 2nd Grader Sebastian in Mrs Stanley’s class at Hoglan Elementary School. “A museum that has history, art, and dinosaurs and a KFC restaurant!” Good thoughts Sebastian!

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Mike Ladehoff is the mayor of Marshalltown.