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In 1994, Claude W. Ahrens donated more than four million dollars and fifty
acres of land to build the Ahrens/Paschall Memorial Park. The park is a
tribute to Claude’s late son, Paul, who passed away at the age of fifty, and
a friend of Paul’s, Jim Paschall, who also passed away at a fairly young
age. Building a recreational park had always been a life long dream for both
Claude and his son, Paul.

The Ahrens/Paschall Memorial Park is home to eight youth softball fields
and baseball fields, two outdoor basketball courts, two tennis courts, a sand
volleyball court, three youth soccer fields, a golf driving range, several
playground areas, shelters, a sledding hill, and a one and a half mile outdoor
walking path. Also located at the park is the Ahrens Family Center, the
Grinnell Athletic and Recreation Center, and the Administrative
Headquarters for both the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation and the
Ahrens Park Foundation. The Iowa Park and Recreation Association
Headquarters is located next door to the park. Today, the Ahrens/Paschall
Memorial Park is comprised of over one hundred acres of land.

In 1998, the Grinnell Athletic and Recreation Center, a 22,000 square foot
athletic facility was built at Ahrens/Paschall Memorial Park. This addition
features three indoor basketball courts with a surrounding walking and
jogging track. The facility also includes two locker rooms, a vending area,
two offices and an open lobby displaying many various personal and
professional achievements and awards received by the late Claude W.
Ahrens.

The Grinnell Athletic and Recreation Center is open from October 1st to
April 30th each year to people of all ages. The City of Grinnell/Parks and
Recreation Department, Grinnell-Newburg Schools and Grinnell Regional
Medical Center all lease the space at various times throughout the year
providing their own recreational programs for youth as well as adults.
Outside, during the months of April to November, the Grinnell Athletic and
Recreation Center operates the Ahrens Driving Range, a 300+ yard golf
driving range with twenty tee stations for all ages and three youth soccer
fields, which are primarily used by the Soccer Club in the spring and fall.

The Ahrens Family Center was built in 1994, and is a 26,000 square
foot facility, housing the Grinnell Community Day Care and Preschool
and Head Start classrooms. Altogether, there are twelve classrooms, a
multi-purpose gymnasium, a 20 by 35 foot swimming pool where small
children are taught to swim, and a large kitchen facility.

Outside, there are two fenced-in play areas that include playground
equipment and tricycle tracks for different age groups. The Ahrens
Family Center provides an outstanding facility, considered to be one of
the finest in the state and Midwest region, for quality child care.

The cost of attending open
gym hours during GARC
hours is $2.00 per person.
There is no charge for senior
citizens. The cost of attending
open gym hours during the
City of Grinnell/Parks &
Recreation hours is $2.00 for
youth and $3.00 for adults.

To purchase an open gym
pass, you must go to the city
of Grinnell/Parks & Recreation
Department office, located in
the Grinnell Community
Center. Monthly and yearly
passes are available. Passes
are valid during all open gym
hours.

The new 2,350 square foot Administrative Headquarters for the Ahrens
Park Foundation and Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation celebrated
its grand opening on June 1st, 2006. This facility is comprised of a
reception room, three office rooms, two conference rooms, a large atrium
waiting room, kitchen, two restrooms and a media room.

All administrative and grantmaking functions occur here. Various
programs by the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation are also
administered here, including Community Support Services, Leave It Better
Than You Found It and Playgrounds for Iowa.

The Ahrens Park Administrative Headquarters facility is available by
reservation for individuals and/or groups associated with local nonprofit
organizations who have an established relationship with either the Ahrens
Park Foundation or the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation for the
use of meeting and/or reception space. Use is not permitted for private
parties, or other social, non-community oriented gatherings unless
approved by office staff of the Ahrens Park Administrative Headquarters.