When entering Hickory Hill Park on a muggy Tuesday afternoon, we were taken in by the immediate sense of having left the city. The sounds of the cars faded away with every step. We saw dogs on leashes leading their humans, sweat-covered runners disappear into the trees around a bend, and an elderly couple enjoying a relaxing hike. These are just some of the activities popular at Hickory Hill. The park is also so big that it was hard to find anyone to talk to. But we did.
“My kids love coming here in the winter,” he said, “there is an old dam that makes a hill perfect for sledding.”
He also said that sledding, skiing, and picnicking are common, and told us about the recently added tornado shelter, the handicap-accessible hiking paths, and Hickory Park Friends, an organization that works to improve and to maintain the park. Hickory Park Friends has brought over ten acres of restored prairie, and last spring undertook a controlled burn in order to make the park more similar to pre-colonization times.
We thanked the man and moved on, walking down the main trail, one of many suitable for strolling or jogging. With over five miles of trails, even long distance runners will be satisfied. If hiking is more your pace, not far off the main path are rutted, narrow trails that lead through dense underbrush and into secluded prairie meadows. Butterfly milkweed covers the hills in the northern part of the park. Seeing them is well worth the trek.
The flora is not the only thing worth seeing in Hickory Hill Park. Nearly everywhere we looked we saw squirrels searching for nuts and chipmunks scurrying across the paths. Almost two hundred bird species have been identified in the park, making this a prime bird-watching location. Some bird species include barred owls, various hawks, woodpeckers, and warblers. These species call Hickory Hill home because of the habitats that the park offers. From wetlands to prairies to dense forest, Hickory Hill was full of surprises.
If hiking and bird-watching aren’t your cup of tea, Hickory Hill Park offers an open picnic area in the southwest corner. Additionally, multiple benches allow for a quick break from a hike or for quiet reading under the dense canopy. Hickory Hill Park has two roofed lodges with a bounty of picnic tables. These are very popular on the weekends according to the man we interviewed. This, however, never makes the park seem crowded or busy because of the open area nearby. The grassy expanse is well-suited for pick up games of frisbee, soccer, football, or even snowball fights in winter.
Summer is not the only time people enjoy the expansive park. In fall, the trees blaze orange and yellow, intensifying the scenery. In winter, the hills and trails allow for sledding and cross-country skiing. In spring the first wildflowers come into bloom, filling the meadows with purple and yellow.
Hickory Hill Park, featuring 185 acres of restored prairie, handicap accessible trails, and dense forestation, is an escape in the middle of Iowa City. Christened in 1967, Hickory Hill park has been a popular destination for families and college students alike. Whether you’re looking for a scenic place to go for a run or a relaxing place to have a picnic, this is the place to be. It is a surprisingly tranquil woodland in the middle of a bustling city. However, if you hate flower-filled meadows or peaceful forests, stay away. This park is not for you
Primetime Iowa City Guide 
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