Forwarded by Jane Clark at [log in to unmask]

DESTINATION STATE PARKS MEETING IN COUNCIL BLUFFS
AND SIOUX CITY

        - Iowans will have an opportunity to learn more about what a Destination
State Park is and offer their opinions during public meetings May 23 in
Council Bluffs and May 24 in Sioux City.

        The Council Bluffs meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Council Bluffs
Public Library. The Sioux City meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at
the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, Stone State Park. A series of eight
public meetings is being held around the state during May.

A destination state park would be similar to a typical Iowa state park, but
would offer an expanded array of recreational opportunities and a variety
of programs, including some aimed at environmental education and others
focusing on entertainment. The 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. "Over 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 about Destination State Parks, contact Arnie Sohn,
Parks, Recreation and Preserves Division bureau chief, at 515-281-5814, or
Keven Arrowsmith, DNR information specialist, at 515-281-0879.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
For SC email list T-and-C, send: GET TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.CURRENT
to [log in to unmask]