Park and Recreation Month Feature: Waterloo’s Byrnes Park

July has been designated as Park and Recreation Month in the U.S. by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The USTA and NRPA announced a partnership to support healthier communities, which is in line with the USTA’s recently adopted mission statement. To celebrate this collaboration and Park and Recreation Month, USTA Iowa is featuring Byrnes Park located in Waterloo.

For more than 75 years, Byrnes Park has served the Waterloo community with many offerings—including tennis, golf, swimming, softball, playgrounds and picnic spaces. Originally there were only a few tennis courts when the park was first built, but that has grown exponentially throughout the years.

“We have 16 quality courts, which we try to resurface every six or seven years or so,” said Dave Will, Waterloo Leisure Services tennis director. “Byrnes Park is a quality facility for both playing and watching. Hotels and restaurants are nearby, as is the indoor facility.”

Will is also head coach of the Columbus Catholic High School girls’ tennis team. Byrnes Park has hosted the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) 1A Boys State Tennis Championships for the past 30 years. The park has also hosted the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) State Tennis Tournament and individual tournaments as well.

To read USTA Iowa recaps of the 2024 state tournaments, click here for the boys and click here for the girls.

“It is a great place to have tournaments,” Will said. “During the regular high school tennis season, there are usually dual meets or high school regular-season tournaments going on at Byrnes Park. During the summer, we host USTA adult and junior tournaments. With (the University of Northern Iowa) close by in Cedar Falls, we have hosted both the Missouri Valley Conference men’s and women’s championships.”