The Iowa Parks Foundation Blog - The Foundation exists to - CONNECT - Iowa’s people and these places of natural beauty - TRANSFORM - these 'Breathing Spaces' for the new century users and - CELEBRATE - Iowa's proud tradition of natural resource conservation and the centennial of Iowa's State Park System.
Summer is just around the corner, which for many means enjoying warm, sunny days at Iowa's state park beaches. The DNR will once again monitor and report on the water quality of these beaches to safeguard public health and enhance understanding of water quality.
Monitoring at all 38 state park beaches begins today (May 23) and will continue into September. Beach water samples are compared to water quality standards to determine the risk of waterborne illnesses for swimmers. All state park beaches will be monitored at least once per week.
Iowans and visitors can find weekly results on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov by clicking on Beach Monitoring. Choosing State Park Beaches under the Beach Monitoring Results heading will bring up a page that graphically displays the current advisory status at beaches throughout the state.
Clicking on the icon over each beach will open a window containing more detailed water quality information. Beachgoers can also get up-to-date advisory information by calling the Iowa Beach Hotline at 319- 353- 2613.
Memorial Day Camping Checklist The first major camping holiday is right around the corner and many campgrounds have already been booked months in advance. Memorial Day weekend always seems to kick off the summer and camping season. The weather is warming up, and the spring rains have produced every shade of emerald across the landscape. 1. Selecting Your Campground:
Memorial Day Camping is very popular across the state which usually leads crowded campgrounds. Depending on the type of experience that you are looking for, now would be a great time to learn more about the various campgrounds in your area or the area where you will be traveling to. Campground amenities vary quite a bit from site to site, and generally the campgrounds with more amenities tend to be more popular. Beach Campgrounds, including sites on lakes and rivers are always popular Memorial Day Camping spots.
If you are looking to avoid some of the Memorial Day crowds, take a look at some of the less popular campground with the same area. From my experience Forestry sites are not as popular as State Park Campgrounds, County Park Campgrounds or Private Campgrounds, while offering similar amenities and the same area attractions.
2. Make a ReservationSometime selecting the campground isn’t the tough part. Often it’s getting and reserving your favorite campsite. You know the one thats close to the bathrooms, but far enough that you don’t smell them. These campsites tend to get reserved quickly and well in advance. If you haven’t reserved a site by now there is a good chance its already spoken for, but double check the campground reservations to be 100% sure. As Memorial Day weekend approaches many campers release their reservations so new sites are frequently becoming available.
First come first serve sites are great for weekends like Memorial Day weekends. Because there’s no reservation in place, you can often claim popular sites by arriving at empty site early in the morning, or perhaps the night before. Both great first come first serve techniques. If you do find a spot, be sure to throw down some gear, or leave a person behind while another visits the campground host or park entrance to pay for the site.
3. Check Your Gear
There’s a good chance that this is the first time you’ll be camping this year. Before you get out to the campsite to discover half of the tent stakes are missing, lighter is empty or batteries dead, check it all out. We usually pull out the tent and give it a good cleaning and shake off any dust that may of settled. We also like to clean the sleeping bags, cloths, and towels. Pull out your master camping list and ensure everything that you take is in working order.
Near Capacity Campgrounds Expected for Memorial Day Weekend
Iowa State Parks will be filled to near capacity for the Memorial Day weekend as many of the reservable campsites were snapped up in late February. Campers who are still looking for a site should call the park early to see if any walk-up sites are available.
Kevin Szcodronski, chief of the State Parks Bureau with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said his staff is been busy preparing parks for the first major holiday of the season.
"It seems like there is never enough time in the day to get all the work done to prepare for the first holiday, but we have a dedicated staff who put in the time, love what they do, and know many of their campers by name," Szcodronski said.
Campers will begin arriving a few days ahead of the holiday until the parks fill to capacity on Friday evening.
"We are going to be full," Szcodronski said. "We like to remind our campers to be respectful of each other, be patient, pick-up after yourself and to help us maintain the park by leaving the site in as good of shape or better then you found it."
He also suggested using the full campground as an opportunity to reach out to the new neighbors and make new friends.
"Try something new and different this year. Visit with campers on a neighboring site, enjoy the natural beauty, go on a nature hike and see the wildlife or the scenic vista along the trail. Challenge yourself to find something new," he said.
Memorial Day weekend weather can be unpredictable so campers should make plans in case of rain.
Parks Dos and Don'ts Don't … bring fireworks … burn trash Do … bring fishing poles … observe quiet hours … pick up after yourself … bring a first aid kit and sunscreen
New Firewood Rules Beginning Jan. 1, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has required all firewood sold or acquired in Iowa to have the county and state of harvest location on the label of packages and the delivery ticket for bulk firewood. The rules were added to prevent the spread of invasive species.
The rules only apply to firewood sold and acquired in Iowa. The rule also requires the Iowa DNR to collect firewood from campers that does not have a label.
Outdoor Journey for Girls
An Outdoor skills camp for girls 12-15
Iowa’s Outdoor Journey for Girls (OJ) camp introduces outdoor skills to 12 to 15 year old girls of all backgrounds and knowledge levels where they have an opportunity to try things hands-on under the watchful eye of trained instructors.
The three day, two night workshop teaches a variety of outdoor skills, including canoeing, orienteering, fishing, archery, shooting rifles/shotguns, conservation, water safety, camping, game care, fur harvesting, fish identification and fish cleaning and cooking.
“The girls really seem to form a bond rather quickly with other campers in their cabin, which is nice because many are a little nervous heading in to the camp,” Wisecup said.
Campers are encouraged to contact their local Pheasants Forever chapter to see if they have any scholarships available to pay for registration. Other organizations provide scholarships, as well.
Outdoor Journey for Girls began in 1993 with the purpose of offering girls a similar experience to outdoor camps already in place for boys, and so far, more than 2,000 girls have gone through the camp.
Iowa’s Outdoor Journey for Girls has been featured in Newsweek and Pheasants Forever magazines, across the state and country on television (including Nickelodeon), and in newspapers.
OJ instructors are Iowa DNR conservation officers and biologists, County Conservation Board naturalists, and representatives from other agencies like the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Iowa State University. Many of the presenters are women professionals in natural resources, including several conservation officers from the DNR’s Law Enforcement Bureau’s who instruct annually at the program.
For information on the workshop, in southwest Iowa, contact Shawnel Richter at 712-249-2844. In the Dubuque and Bellevue area, contact Stephanie Penniston at 563-340-4528. In Waterloo, contact Lori Eberhard at 319-269-6705. In northwest Iowa, contact Ginger Walker at 712-225-6709. In southeast Iowa, contact Jackie Gautsch at 319-205-8501. In central Iowa, contact Rhonda Fowler at 515-205-8709.
It’s time to open up the camper or air out the tent and get ready for a season of relaxation and fun in Iowa’s state parks. Today begins the season's Camping Kickoff Weekend - Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
A little pre-season work goes a long way to making a camping trip more enjoyable. Check out some of the camping video's on the IPF Facebook page for some basic 'getting started' tips for new campers.
Putting up the tent to check for leaks and minor repairs, making sure sleeping bags are free of holes, inventorying kitchen utensils and restocking dry goods are all important. Preparation for an RV or camper owner may be a little more involved — making sure gas lines are in working order; the water system is sanitized and leak-free; batteries are fresh or charged; blocks, jacks and hitches are operational.
And doing a little research on new outdoor recipes can be fun whether you tent camp or us an RV. A number of helpful camping tips, recipes and checklists can be found atwww.exploreiowaparks.com.
Upgrades were made earlier this year to the state parks’ reservation system, including a new website. Campsite — as well as cabin, shelter and lodge reservations — can now be made on-line or by calling (877) 427-2757 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday or from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Some State Park Facilities Not Available
A water leak in the campground at Emerson Bay State Park on the shores of West Okoboji Lake will likely cause the water to be shut off for the two shower buildings and to the restroom serving the popular boat ramp. Water will still be available from the water hydrants throughout the campground, the modern restroom and to the dump station.
Frank Rickerl, northwest district state parks supervisor for the Iowa DNR, said they are in the process of notifying the campers with reservations and providing them with some alternatives. "They can stay here and use the shower facilities at Gull Point, we can transfer their reservation to another park or refund their money," Rickerl said.
In addition to being camper kickoff weekend across the state, Saturday is the opening of walleye season at the Iowa Great Lakes which draws additional campers to the region.
Other parks across the state will have features that will not be available.
At Ledges State Park, the Canyon Road and Lower Ledges Road will remain closed to vehicle traffic this spring due to ongoing flood clean-up and repair. Park visitors are welcome to hike into these areas, but vehicles are not permitted at this time.
Wilson Island State Recreation Area is closed due to flooding from the rising Missouri River. If conditions improve and the campground can be reopened, campsites will only be available on a first come basis for the rest of the year.
Campgrounds and cabins at Lake Darling and the campground at Union Grove state parks will be closed all year for a campground renovation.
The caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park are closed to prevent the spread of white nosed bat disease. Other features of the park and the campground remain open.
The beach at George Wyth State Park has been closed since damaged from the flooding in 2008. The DNR is working with Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] officials to raise the dike, change the access to the concession, upgrade the transformer and lift station, and other landscaping.
Dr. John Crompton, a professor of recreation, park and tourism sciences from Texas A&M University, will speak in Des Moines this week during programs sponsored by Friends of Des Moines Parks, a nonprofit organization that advocates and raises money for city parks and recreation programs. Dr. Cronpton is the most published scholar in the history of the fields of tourism and parks and recreation. Dr. Crompton will discuss how parks and recreation benefit communities through reduced health care costs and juvenile crime, increased property values and economic development, and stronger civic responsibility. Dr. Crompton is known worldwide for his work on marketing and financing of parks and recreation, especially during times of difficult financial restraints.
Dr. Crompton is an energetic speaker who inspires and educates his audience. Come hear him describe how parks and recreation can benefit the community by:
• Reducing health care costs
• Alleviating juvenile crime
• Improving community cohesion
• Promoting economic development
• Raising property values, and
• Encouraging civic responsibility
Dr. Crompton’s message is especially relevant to the Iowa Parks Foundation and its members who are exploring the transformation of State Parks and other places of natural beauty across the state.
IPF collaborative efforts in Central Iowa include creation of a sustainable greenways system of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. This greenway will preserve, protect, and enhance the environment, improve water quality, enable alternative transportation options, promote fun and healthy lifestyles, and foster community and economic vitality through regional cooperation.
The IPF is an active member of the Central Iowa GreenwaysTask Force which represents 35 organizations and 63 individuals. Task Force meetings, open to the public, are held every other month. Participation by all interested parties is encouraged. Dr. Crompton’s message will support the economic and cultural rational behind this planning process.
Free tickets remain available for Dr. Crompton's 12:15 p.m. presentation on Friday at Hy-Vee Hall, 730 Third St. Tickets are required for attendance. Reservations and complimentary tickets are available by contacting Rebecca Linhart at 237-1403 or via email at rjlinhart@dmgov.org.
For those who can't make the presentations - check out the first part of Dr. Crompton's presentation to the American Recreation Association.
