Minutes- December 2009

December 2009

Attendees:

  Greg Hoversten, Kevin Pape, Bernie Hoversten, Mike Moore, Jim Redmond and Doris Swanson.

“Happy New Year!”   Another year of fun in the park.

Ranger Update:

·       Tree clearing for four days off of Malloy Road. Were able to grind the cedar trees for later use.

·       Forestry and Parks budget has been cut could be 20%. Using 30 people (seasonal) for 50 parks.

·       Iowa Parks foundation may fund seasonal workers. Requires $6000.00 per worker.

·       Volunteers will need a waiver to sign. Workmen’s comp doesn’t apply to volunteers any longer.

·       Sierra club to celebrate 40 year anniversary on April 17, 2010 at Morningside College.

·       We received a total of cash and in-kind donations of $16,018 for trails. Approximately $13,049.00 has been spent on trail improvements.

·       To repair the shelter could cost up to $25,000.00. Rotary Club has grants we can apply for.

·       University of Iowa Sierra Club to work in the Loess Hills over Spring Break in March. Would be a service trip.

Next Meeting:  January 19, 2010   Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center 7:00 p.m.

Kevin Pape

Park Ranger

Stone State Park

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

(712) 255-4698

Minutes- November 2009

Minutes- November 2009

Friends of Stone Park 
November2009 Attendees:    Kevin Pape, Michael Moore, Bernie Hoversten, Warren Dunkle, Chris Poeckes and Doris Swanson.
Ranger Update: ·       Due to weather conditions the trail run used the roads instead of trails. All went well! ·       Kevin is weatherizing the equipment for winter.·       Sprayed for garlic mustard and had a controlled burn.
New Business:  ·       Chris Poeckes presented a check form the Missouri Runners Club.·       Brent Copple is looking for volunteers for Oct.2, 2010 for the Broken Toe Run. Mark your calendar if you can help out.·       Rotary interested in redoing the shelter. They need an estimate of damage and electricity should be included.·       Kevin is required to take five (5) furlough days due to budget cuts. 


Next Meeting: December 15, 2009    Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center 7:00 p.m.


Kevin PapePark RangerStone State ParkIowa Department of Natural Resources(712) 255-4698

Minutes- October 2009

Friends of Stone Park

Minutes

      October  2009

Attendees:

  Greg Hoversten,Zac Chwirka, Bob Moritz, Jim Redmond, Kevin Pape, Michael Moore, Herman Schultz, Bernie Hoversten, Joe Mohrhauser and Doris Swanson.

Ranger Update:

·       Broken Toe Run was run on the road due to the weather conditions of the hills.

·       $2000.00 of grant money left over. Kevin debating how funds should be spent. Park will be open until snow.

·       Horses going from state to state need to be checked for vaccinations. Kevin to oversee this.

·       Mountain bikers saw a bobcat on trail. It was confirmed!

Treasurers Report:  $7964.82 balance.

New Business: 

·       75^th anniversary of when Stone Park became a State park. We need to recognize this date. What type of activities would be feasible?  Concert- pick a date and pick your brain to help set activities.

·       Year 2012 will be the 100^th anniversary of Stone Park.

·       Sierra Club will have its 40^th anniversary – could we combine with them for a program?

·       Hyperion Region to discuss points with Region 8- E.P.A. questions.

·       The group Missouri River would be affected. An Environmental Impact statement is needed.

Next Meeting: November 17, 2009    Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center 7:00 p.m.

Kevin Pape

Park Ranger

Stone State Park

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

(712) 255-4698

Friends of Stone Park award from Iowa DNR

Trail Update from Ranger Pape

March 6, 2009

Last season we had several successful volunteer work days to clear brush along the trail, construct water bars, and fill in ruts. Our department paid for a one week rental of a tracked Bobcat which helped move dirt and shape some water bars last fall.

Our neighbor Zac Chwirka was building a garage last fall and offered to dump the extra fill in the main trail parking lot. Doug Palmer and the Big Soo Terminal offered a bobcat and operator to move this dirt. By luck, the operator was Tyler Flammang a mountain biker with skill at earth-moving and erosion control. The upper one third of this trail is in much better condition thanks to this work.


The Missouri River Runners had a great turnout at their annual Broken Toe Trail Run last fall. The Missouri River Runners donated $3700 to the Friends of Stone Park for trail improvements. Over the winter, the Friends of Stone Park applied for a Loess Hills Alliance Economic Development Grant to buy materials and equipment for trail improvements. In January, the Friends were notified that they received $4,000 in grant money. The Friends recently applied for $1,000 from the Iowa Equestrian Council grant program. Several equestrian-riders made donations to the Friends for trail improvements. The grant money is being used to purchase a dump trailer to move fill dirt to some of the eroded sections of trail. Grant funds will also be used to purchase fill dirt and experiment with geosynthetic material. Check out http://www.geocheminc.com/geoweb1.htm


In 2009, we’ll move fill dirt to try to restore the trail surface in some of the problem areas, particularly the trail to Mt. Lucia. Volunteers will continue to do the shovel work and fine-grading. By late in the year, we’ll have some geosynthetic material on one or two steep portions of the trail system. Geosynthetics have been tried at other equestrian sites in the Midwest. We’ll see if it helps hold loess soil.


The grant money is not enough to pay for labor to do the work. In fact volunteer labor will provide a significant portion of the match for the grants. My park staff has been drastically cut for this season. As of today, I anticipate hiring two part-time seasonal staff (vs. six in 2008). I hope you can help us at one of the volunteer work days this summer. The first volunteer trail work day is Tuesday, May 12th, from 5-8:00 PM. Meet at the Wahkaw shelter in Pammel Valley. I will send you information about more volunteer events as the season progresses.


Happy Trails to you, until we meet again.


Kevin Pape

Park Ranger

Stone State Park

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

(712) 255-4698

1939 Tour Brochure

1939 Tour Brochure, cover

The Memorial Mile

The Memorial Mile (later named Memorial Drive)

Several decades ago, the only entrance to Stone Park was Stone Park Blvd. Following World War I the City created, "The Memorial Mile". Memorial Drive, as it is known today, is the mile long road leading to the gates of Stone Park. It was named to honor the 114 Sioux Citians who died in World War I. One hundred fourteen Elm Trees, one for each Sioux Citian who died, were planted along Memorial Drive sometime in the 1920's.

There is a commemorative plaque placed in the concrete of Memorial Drive to honor these individuals. That plaque was covered by asphalt repairs several years ago. We need help finding this plaque.

The Friends of Stone Park would like to see this historic commemorative entrance to Stone Park, Memorial Drive, restored.

On November 8, 2004, The Friends of Stone Park met with the City Council. The Council and City Manager were very interested and will work with Friends on learning more about, and possibly restoring, "The Memorial Mile".

Historic Stone Park

THE HISTORY OF STONE PARK AND VACINITY, May 15, 1936
Stone Park carries the family name of Stone, T. J. Stone and his son, Edgar H. Stone, whose widow pre­sented his half interest in the park to the City of Sioux City.

Mt. Talbot named for Daniel H. Talbot, owner of the land from 1885 to 1895.

Mt. Lucia named for Mrs. Lucia Stone, widow of Edgar H. Stone.

Ruth Ridge named for R.M.Rickotts daughter, now Mrs. Ruth Cooper. Mr. Ricketts served for many years as superintendent of the Talbot Farm.

Mt. Edgar named for Edgar H. Stone.

Marks Glen named for the Hon. Constant R. Marks, a pioneer of Woodbury County. Mr. Marks was born in 1841 in New York State, coming to Sioux City in 1868 to practice law, after four years of service in the Civil War. He was elected to the legislature in 1869 and took an active part in both county and state affairs. The large volume in the City Library, “Past and Present of Woodbury County”, was edited by Mr. Marks. Many facts contained in this report were obtained from the volume.

Conkey Point named for the family of Conkeys, who lived where Conkey Point now stands. The Conkeys were a family of early settlers.

Camp Kellogg Boy Scout Camp - named for “Larry” Kellogg, son of Dr. and. Mrs. Ray Kellogg. During the world war, “Larry” was outstanding as a twelve year old Boy Scout in his tireless devotion to service. The Boy Scout organi­zation carried on a large program of usefulness in aiding the Red Cross, collecting pewter and old metals for bullets, distributing posters, and helping in all ways possible. “Larry” died of influenza while he was aiding in this Scout work. ­

Mt. Lookout a high overlook knoll near the east entrance. Elevation 1473 feet above sea level.

Tepee Hill named from Indian days. Exact origin not known.

Broken Toe named from Indian days. Exact origin not known. [several tree roots line this trail per contemporary lore]