Please try to attend these meetings and give your opinions and comments.
Please share this information with your Groups.  Meetings will be held in
other locations around the state.
Jane Clark


DESTINATION STATE PARKS MEETING IN BETTENDORF AND CEDAR FALLS

        DES MOINES - Iowans will have an opportunity to learn more about what a
Destination State Park is and offer their opinions during a public meeting
on May 2 in Bettendorf and May 3 in Cedar Falls.

        The Bettendorf meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Abbey Hotel,
1401 Central Ave.  It is one of eight public meetings being held around the
state during May.

        The Cedar Falls meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Rotary
Reserve, 5932 North Union.  It is one of eight public meetings being held
around the state during May.

A Destination State Park would be a typical Iowa State Park, offering a
choice of overnight accommodations that include an expanded array of
recreational opportunities and a variety of programs including some aimed
at environmental education and others focusing on entertainment. These
accommodations and activities would be designed to attract groups and
families that would normally go to another state for a major annual
vacation.

"It will be our goal to enhance outdoor recreation experiences in Iowa's
state parks; and it is important that any new attractions or developments
be done in a way that complements the existing beauty and natural resources
our state parks are known for," said Mike Carrier, Parks, Recreation and
Preserves Division administrator. "More than 10 million people visit our
state parks each year because they like the things our parks offer. Any new
developments will be planned and designed so as not to infringe on the
state park experience as millions know it today."

No sites for Destination State Parks have been selected yet. After the
public meetings are held, a consultant will be hired to select a few sites
that have the best combination of natural resources, building sites to
accommodate new facilities without adverse impacts on the existing park
resources, and local support. Master plans with cost estimates will also be
products of this study scheduled for completion by fall 2000.

        For more information, contact Arnie Sohn, 515-281-5814, or Keven
Arrowsmith, 515-281-0879.

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