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ADVISOR, April 16, 2014 1A
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Prst Std U.S. POSTAGE PAID Omaha, NE Permit No. 36
CrawfordCountyAdvisor.com
The
Volume 79, Number 16
Denison, Iowa 51442-0550
crawfordcountyadvisor.com
A Newsletter of the Crawford County Conservation Board Conservation Office: 712-263-2748 w Nature Center: 712-263-3409 w crawfordcountyconservationboard.com
VISIt nelSon pArk
"Get to knoW nelSon pArk AGAIn!" In 2014 84 Camping Sites in 4 Separate Areas Special 2014 pricing is $15 electric and $12 non-electric. this pricing is for nelson park only.
Nelson Park is a 165-acre park 4 miles northwest of Dow City with an 11 acre lake and 84 Camping Sites in 4 Separate Areas. It has 1½ miles of hiking trails and a sand beach for swimming. Campers may self register at one of the four camping areas in the park.
ShelterS AVAIlABle
Two large and two small open shelters are available. Large shelters rent for $40 each and small are $20 each and a $100 deposit is required. Shelters are free, on a first-come, first-served basis, if not already reserved. Grills are available at each shelter and there is a carry in/carry out trash policy. To reserve a shelter, call 712-263-2748.
FIShInG pIer
A handicapped accessible fishing pier at Nelson Park is available on the west side of the lake. Located near the boat ramp and across from the boat ramp campground, the 8’ X 22’ fishing pier is T shaped with a 6’ X 24’ approach for easy fishing access. Handicapped parking access is available near by. The water in front of the pier is 6-12 feet deep. Cut cedar trees were placed about 35’ in front of the dock for fish habitat.
dIreCtIonS
From Dow City, travel 2 miles west on Highway 30, then travel 4 miles north.
VISIt yelloW Smoke pArk
359 Acres ~ 40 Acre lake ~ 2 Fishing piers 76 Camp Sites ~ 2 Cabins ~ nature Center Boating ~ Canoeing ~ Fishing ~ Swimming ~ hiking ~ Biking ~ WiFi Available
Yellow Smoke Park is a 359 acre recreation area located 1 mile east and ½ mile north of Denison. Picnicking, swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, hiking, and camping are a few of the many activities available. Other facilities include a handicapped accessible fishing pier, beach, bathhouse, concrete boat ramp, and a 4 mile paved biking/hiking trail. Yellow Smoke Park has 76 available camping sites, in two separate campgrounds, which are $18 per night.
ShelterS AVAIlABle
lakeside Shelter and Woodland Shelter: Two large open shelters are available Lakeside Shelter and Woodland Shelter are $40 and hold approx. 50-75 people. A $100 deposit is now required to rent the open shelters. lookout Shelter: The enclosed Lookout Shelter holds 140 people and offers a kitchen area with an electric stove, a microwave, a refrigerator, and counter and sink space. Modern restrooms are attached. The Lookout Shelter can be rented for $110 plus a $200 deposit. reservations: Shelters can be reserved one year in advance from the date of request by calling the Conservation Office in the Courthouse at 712-263-2748.
CABInS AVAIlABle
The Crawford County Conservation Board has two cabins available for rent year round at Yellow Smoke Park. The cabins, with a nice view of the lake, are located just down the hill from the enclosed Lookout Shelter. Each cabin, which sleeps 4-6 people is 18’ X 21’ with a 18’ X 10’ covered patio. Each site provides plenty of space with a great view of the lake and surrounding park area. Fishing, hiking, and swimming is only a short distance from the cabins. Furnishings include a full bed, two bunk beds, a sofa sleeper, table with four chairs and a bench. A kitchenette with microwave, small frig., toaster, coffee pot, and a TV/DVD player are also included. A bathroom with a shower is included in each cabin along with a vanity and a kitchen sink. A heat pump supplies heating and cooling. One of the cabins is handicapped accessible and includes a handicapped shower. Renters bring everything they would normally take on a camping trip including bedding, towels, toiletries, personal items, food, and cooking utensils. Microwave or outside cooking is encouraged. A 30 amp outlet is on the side of each cabin, should renters want to bring an additional camping unit. They pay an additional $18 per night in addition to the $63 per night cabin fee. This is available should the cabin user choose to have a friend or other family member camp beside the cabin. Tents are allowed for juvenile children. A refundable $100 cleanup/damage deposit is also required. Renters may check in after 2:00 pm. and are required to check out by 11:00 a.m. Reservations can be made 12 months in advance by calling the Crawford County Conservation Board office in the County Courthouse in Denison at (712) 263 2748. We’re open year around.
dIreCtIonS
From Denison, travel 1 mile east on Highway 30, then travel ½ mile north.
Crawford County Conservation Board Members: Ken Huntley, Mike Petersen, Joe Dandeneau, Pat Palmer, and Mary Eiten Chris Gosch, Director Dick Frazier, Nelson Park Ranger Nathan Lakner, Yellow Smoke Park Ranger Kelly Sonnichsen, Naturalist Nick Steinkuehler, Nelson Park technician Josh Meggers, Yellow Smoke Park Technician Jodi Head, Office Manager
ConSerVAtIon lAndS ContInUe to GroW And oFFer reCreAtIon In CrAWFord CoUnty
for County Park Reservations
Improvements to nelson park include a new seal coated, dustless road off of hwy 30, a completely remodeled modern hill restroom, 5 new 50 amp boat ramp camp sites, and several newly graveled modern hill camp sites.
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Wildlife Echo
Call 712-263-2748
Prst Std U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 226 Denison, IA 51442
enVIronmentAl ed
Environmental education (EE) increases public awareness and knowledge of environmental issues and challenges. Through EE, people gain an understanding of how their individual actions affect the environment, acquire skills that they can use to weigh various sides of issues, and become better equipped to make informed decisions. EE also gives people a deeper understanding of the environment, inspiring them to take personal responsibility for its preservation and restoration. The Neal Moeller Environmental Education Center at Yellow Smoke Park is a Nature Center set on a 359-acre recreation area. Our mission is to unite people with nature and nurture appreciation and stewardship of the environment. The “Nature Center” was built in 1992 and exhibits various displays portraying environmental issues. Each year the Nature Center brings more than 12,000 children, teachers, and adults together with nature through hands-on field classes. Participants in our educational programs, run both for the schools and for the community, observe and learn about plants and animals up-close, discovering the pleasure of being in nature and realizing their own connection to the environment. Volunteers are critical to the success of all that we do here at the Nature Center. Volunteer opportunities for people of all ages abound, with activities ranging from staffing the Nature Center to gardening, to fund-raising or feeding our captive animals. Approximately 100 volunteers donate thousands of hours in support of our mission each year. Come out and celebrate the seasons with us. We have a regular calendar of events scheduled throughout the year. These range from a summer nature camps, family friendly activities to special events and fundraisers. We hope to see you this summer!
Since the Conservation Boards beginning in January, 1963, the Board has acquired 21 areas totaling 1,133 acres for parks and recreation, historic preservation, environmental education, public hunting and fishing, wildlife management, forest preservation and native prairie preservation. Crawford County's main parks include 359acre Yellow Smoke Park and the Neal Moeller Environmental Education Center, east of Denison and 165 acre Nelson Park, west of Dow City. The Dow House Historic Site in Dow City, also a project of the Board, represents natural history and cultural lifestyle of the late 1800's. On March 31, 2014 long time Conservation Board Director, Lance Nelson, retired after 35 years of service in Crawford County. Lance was replaced by former Yellow Smoke Park Ranger, Chris Gosch, on April 1, 2014. Nathan Lakner replaced Chris Gosch as the new Yellow Smoke Park Ranger and Josh Meggers is the new Yellow Smoke Park Technician as of April 1, 2014. Staff include Chris Gosch, director; Jodi Head, office manager; Dick Frazier, Nelson Park ranger; Nathan Lakner, Yellow Smoke Park ranger; Kelly Sonnichsen, Naturalist; Nick Steinkuehler, Nelson park technician and Josh Meggers, Yellow Smoke Park technician.
SUmmer nAtUre eXplorer CAmpS!
Once again, the Nature Center will hold its annual summer Nature Explorer Camps for kids preschool through 5th grade! The camps will take place at the Neal Moeller Environmental Education Center at Yellow Smoke Park. The camps are designed to help kids experience nature up close! The children will be able to learn about nature through hikes, games, crafts, stories and other hands-on activities! Fee includes t-shirt, crafts & snacks. Children must bring a sack lunch! Get signed up early! Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis and we have a waiting list every year! Pre-registration is required! (There are scholarships available 1 per family). Please call the Conservation Office at 263-2748 to register or for more information.
tadpole times
Preschool 4 & 5 years olds (have not been to Kindergarten)
nature explorers
June 10-11 July 8-9 July 17-18 9 am to 12 pm
Just finished K - 2nd grade
June 12-13 June 26-27 July 10-11 9 am to 1 pm
Cost $30
Cost $28
Junior naturalist Just finished 3rd - 5th grade June 24 July 16 9 am to 3 pm
Cost $30
CheCk oUt theSe other GreAt ACtIVItIeS! knee-hIGh nAtUrAlIStS!
eASter eGG hUnt Saturday, April 19 1:00 p.m. Nature Center Cost $1 per child or $5 per car
Knee-High naturalists is a program for ages 2 to 4 years old that have not been to kindergarten. Come for an hour and a half of nature play and exploration especially designed for preschoolers accompanied by an adult. Each class will focus on a specific theme and include a story, game, snack and other activities. The fee for each class is $5.00. Classes take place at the Nature Center from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Please pre-register by caling 712-263-3409. May 29 • June 26 • July 31 • Aug 28 • Sept 25 • Oct 23
dUtCh oVen CookInG Thursday, June 5 6:00 p.m. Cost $10
mAke A SteppInG Stone Monday, August 7 6:00 p.m. Cost $10
Call 712-263-3409 for more information or to register for any of the above environmental education classes. VISIt the doW hoUSe hIStorIC SIte ~ A Living Legend in Dow City, Iowa ~ Listed on the National Historic Registry Built in 1872 by the Founder of Dow City, Simeon Dow The restored home of Simeon E. Dow, founder of Dow City, is located south off Hwy 30, on the west edge of Dow City. The Dow House is open to the public Memorial Day weekend (May 24, 2014) in May to Labor Day weekend (August 31, 2014), Saturdays and Sundays, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. Admission fees are $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children under 14. Arrangements for group tours can be made in advance by phoning the Conservation office at the courthouse at 712-263-2748. 1-adv16(2014 echo)ccW