From: Debbie Neustadt

The following are comments  made by Steve Swan and Rex Bavousett. Thanks to them and
Jane for publishing the dates

What is a destination park?

It is a park from which people from all across America and the world
would choose as their main objective in their vacation plans.  This
is quite a grand scheme.  It would be like a Yellowstone, Disneyland,
or Cape Cod.  As people head to their destination, they may stop
along their route in various county or state parks, this however does
not keep them long as their main goal is to get to the destination
park at the end of the road.

As Iowans are considering the establishment of a destination park or parks
somewhere in the state, we need to remember that Iowa has very few or no big
wildernesses available to its citizens.  An ideal destination park would be
situated in conjunction with a large wild area .  This large area
could support an entire ecosystem with large mammals.

What could we seriously look for as a destination park in Iowa? There is the
Lake Okoboji/Spirit,  Loess Hills, DeSoto Bend of the Missouri, Neal
Smith Prairie, and Effigy Mounds.  All of these could become Natural
wildland Destination Parks.  If promoted properly to the citizens of
the state, Iowa could gather the funding and private lands in these
areas and create many wonderful natural places.  Places which through
time may evolve into national destination parks.  At the outset of
their creation, they would become the premiere parks of Iowa.  These
parks could be managed for wildness.  Prairies and/or Wetlands could be restored.
Native species reintroduced. Roads removed.  What we
could end up with would be comparable with Custer State Park in South
Dakota, Caddo Lake State Park in Texas, or Buffalo River National
Scenic River in Arkansas to name a few.

To obtain a large wild  area in Iowa would be at least difficult,
probably very difficult, but not impossible.  It is a project that could
take several generations to complete.  However, if our civilization
continues as it is, several generations from now the people enjoying the
wilderness area would be eternally grateful to their ancestors who had the
foresight to establish such an incredible natural treasure for them.


The process of creating these parks is already in place.  First we
must recognize the significance of the natural area.  Second, we work
to promote the protection of the place.  This has already begun with
the Loess Hills and to a lesser degree the Okoboji region.  Third, we
get the state to officially promote and designate the importance of
the land in question. Then fourth, we work to build our vision of
what the park should become.  Then with time and the state's travel
commission, it is heralded as a place worthy of visitation.

One move toward creating a mindset with our State leaders is the establishment of
natural areas which are void of mechanical equipment such as snowmobiles, jet skis,
and
motorboats. Jet skis are starting to be controlled on a few lakes in Iowa. Another
step we
can take to help start the "Destination Park" idea in Iowa is to begin with a push to
ban
the use of  ATV  in some areas.

( Insert local story. This  is an Iowa City example)
For example, In our State House the legislators were considering raising the motor
size limit on MacBride Lake in Johnson County (Iowa City) so that it
matched the rest of the state's lakes.  This was fought off by
individuals from Johnson county.  MacBride Lake is separated from
Coralville Reservoir only by the thickness of a Dam.  Coralville
Reservoir allows all types of motors to be used on its waters.
MacBride limited the size of the motors allowed on the lake and also
limited the use of the motors to no-wake.  The lake is used mostly by
people who like to canoe, kayak, and sail.  With Coralville Reservoir literally a
stone's
throw away ad available this is a reasonable desire and goal.  Many states in the
United
States have lakes that ban motors.  Why not here in Iowa as well.  This will help
bring us to the creation of other lakes and destination parks
throughout the state.

The creation of Destination Parks will take a long time to achieve.
A destination park is an opportunity to
provide to visitors a hike out into a wild Iowa landscape,
a landscape nearly like that which the Lewis and Clark expedition
encountered as they traveled past our state.  A landscape with prairie
chickens, buffalo, elk, wolves, and the myriad of other creatures that have
been left on the wayside in the relentless push to farm and urbanize every
last square inch of our state.  This future destination park/wilderness area
would be the keystone of Iowa's public resources, a park that would gain the
state national recognition, a Yellowstone of the tall grass prairie. What better time
to start
than when we have a with our governor and Paul Johnson at the helm of the DNR.

jrclark wrote:

> 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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