Mahaska County Attractions

New residents and businesses are attracted to Mahaska County for a wide variety of reasons. But when they arrive, they stay for one reason—Mahaska County is a great place to live, work and raise a family. From the rich variety of recreational opportunities, to the safe neighborhoods, to the top-notch schools, Mahaska County has something for everyone. Housing options abound with choices from living in one of Mahaska County’s 10 cities to acreages to farms. Everyone can find a great place to call home!

Health Care

Mahaska Health Partnership (MHP) serves Mahaska County. MHP strives to ensure the community receives the most up to date care, through technology upgrades, new equipment, the recruitment of needed physicians and the addition of new services and programs. MHP offers localized medical specialists in addition to specialty clinics.
www.mahaskahealth.com

Mahaska Hospital features a 24-hour, local doctor staffed Emergency Room, hospital-based paramedic level ambulance service and state of the art surgical facilities.
New Directions offers comprehensive mental health care.
Mahaska Med Spa offers a variety of treatments for men and women designed to accommodate total skin care and body needs.
The Cancer Care and Infusion Center provides services locally to those in need.
New Sharon Medical Center offers primary care to the New Sharon area.

Housing

Mahaska County offers tremendous choices in housing for those moving to the area. Oskaloosa as the largest community in the County encourages growth by offering tax abatement on new construction. This has spawned five new residential developments. Single and multi-family homes, townhouses, and apartments are available in Oskaloosa. Historic, refurbished homes in classic neighborhoods are very popular as well. For those that prefer small town living, Mahaska County has nine other communities population 1300 and below. If country living is your preference, acreages are very popular in this area. Five real estate agencies are here to assist you in finding the perfect home.

Recreation

Mahaska County offers countless recreational opportunities. The Mahaska County YMCA offers a center with programming for all ages. State, county and city parks abound. Lacey Recreation Complex near Oskaloosa offers state-of-the-art youth soccer and baseball/softball facilities. If passive recreation is your interest, Oskaloosa and New Sharon public libraries offer an entire range of services for young and old alike. When it comes to recreation Mahaska County offers something for everyone.
Outdoor Recreation
Within Mahaska County approximately 3,500 acres of land are managed as parks and recreational areas.
Whether you and your family...
... Prefer a full fledged “roughing it” outing or 30 amp electrical camping
... Prefer an afternoon picnic with the family or large-group gathering at a lodge
... Prefer a leisurely nature walk through the prairie or bike rides on a paved path
... Prefer fishing along the banks of the Skunk River or one of many public ponds
... Prefer disc golf on one of the best courses in Iowa or a traditional 18 holes
... Prefer an adventurous day on your off-highway vehicle at Bluff Creek OHV Park
... Prefer the Daily Garden or native prairie beauty
Oskaloosa and Mahaska County has it all!
Trails
The Mahaska Community Recreation Trail started as a dream with the first feet poured in 1999. Today, over 12 miles of the planned 15 miles are in existence. When fully developed, the ten-foot wide concrete trail will loop around Oskaloosa and University Park in Mahaska County. It follows along old rail right-of-way, winds though scenic woodlands, by agricultural fields, through parks, by two golf courses, offers unique underpasses, and safely accommodates two-way recreational traffic. A map of the trail is located at http://www.teammahaska.org/tminfo/recreation/rectrail/mapltrsize.pdf.

If it is nature trails that you prefer, Lake Keomah State Park, Hawthorne Wilderness Area, White Oak Conservation Area and Quercus Wilderness Area all showcase a variety natural areas.
Racing

Wednesday evenings, Oskaloosa comes alive with the sound of racing at Southern Iowa Speedway! IMCA Modified Stock and Hobbies can be heard as they race for the checkered flag. Special races are held throughout the year. Within 30 minutes of Oskaloosa, are two other opportunities for the racing enthusiasts, Eddyville Raceway Park and Knoxville Raceway.
Golf
If golfing is your sport, you will have to check out one of the four courses located in the County. Eighteen-hole courses in Oskaloosa include Edmundson Golf Pro Shop and Course and Oskaloosa Golf Club. Prairie Knolls Country Club in New Sharon also features 18 holes. Harvest Point Golf Course is a 9-hole course with a very popular driving range.

Cultural Arts

George Daily Community Auditorium

Throughout the year, professional performances are scheduled in this beautiful 700-seat auditorium.
Symphonies, performances such as “Grease,” the “Nutcracker,” Simon Estes, the Glen Miller Band as well as musical entertainment from Branson and across the world are featured. The sound and lighting equipment are extraordinary and enhance each performance. The diversity of productions keeps people coming back again and again!
http://www.georgedailyauditorium.com
Oskaloosa Symphony Orchestra