Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Dakota Point Shelter, Then and Now
1960
March 31, 2010
The block in the upper right-hand area of today's picture matches that in the 1960 picture.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Spring Clean-up May 1, 2010
The Friends of Stone Park and the Nature Center have planned a Spring Clean-up for Stone Park and Highway 12 from Riverside to the west entrance on May 1 from 9 AM to 11 AM. Meet at the entrance to the Nature Center.
May Day 2010 can be your opportunity to make our little corner of the world a better place!
For more information contact Greg Hoversten, 251-0542 or Jim Henning, 258-0838.
May Day 2010 can be your opportunity to make our little corner of the world a better place!
For more information contact Greg Hoversten, 251-0542 or Jim Henning, 258-0838.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Meeting Minutes 2-16-2010
Friends of Stone Park
Meeting Minutes
2-16-2010
Present: Zac and Chris Chwirka, Ally Garthright, Bob and Phyllis Nickolson, Bernie Hoversten, Dale Brumm, Kevin Pape, Jim Redmond, Mike Moore, and Warren Dunkle.
Memorial Mile:
Zac and Ally have been talking with the city to see about restoring this project. Several avenues still to be looked into at this point. One of the next steps is to speak with the landowners along the way and see if they would support this project. Instead of the original Elms being planted again we are looking at a smaller tree such as the Prairiefire crabapple.
Botany:
A botanist from the IA DNR contacted Kevin and advised he has found information about a previous botanist named Hayden that discovered a plant in Stone Park in 1936 that is now on the endangered species list. The original plant was documented by Hayden as growing by a school house, which is believed to have been the Boys of ’68 building. Kevin advised this plant still grows in the park and is located in the newly acquired addition of the park just above Hwy 12 by Riverside.
Rezoning Issue:
On February 2, 2010 an article appeared in the Sioux City Journal about the rezoning of a section below the park on Hwy 12 right at the edge of Riverside. The city is being asked to rezone this section of land to be light commercial. A portion of the park is directly above this section of land. Concerns were raised about this affecting the aspects of the land along this area if it is changed to light industrial and what may occur in the future. Planning and Zoning are holding a meeting on March 9, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Members from Friends are encouraged to attend and voice their concern. A motion was made to have the Friends speak. The motion carried by members present and Zac Chwirka will speak on behalf of the Friends group. The meeting was not held on Feb. 23rd.
Earth Fest:
Earth Fest will take place at Morningside College in the Greenspace on April 10th, 2010, rain or shine, from Noon until Dark. This is a free event and people are encouraged to bring picnics and blankets and enjoy the day of music and friendship. Several local bands and talent will be entertaining all through the day.
Jim Redmond and Mike Moore requested a monetary donation from the Friends to help defray the costs of sound and stage equipment. A motion was made to donate $200.00. The motion carried. The Friends will be setting up a table with Friends information and t-shirts for sale. Please stop by and visit!
Leave A Legacy Program:
Kevin suggested that the Friends group possibly look into what it takes to be placed on the Leave A Legacy Program. Chris volunteered to check it out.
Ranger Report:
They have been working on the Eco-System Management plan. They are investigating many options and possible plans.
The oldest Bur Oak tree in the park is from approximately 1796. Not many new oaks are growing due to the lack of areas with full sun. A future plan may include some clear cuttings and planting in areas to reestablish the Bur Oak population. This is discussion and no plans are under way at this time.
Hope to see you at the next meeting on April 13th, 2010, 7:00 p.m., at Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center. Please spread the word and come and see what we are about. You do not have to be a member to attend.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Pape
Park Ranger
Stone State Park
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
(712) 255-4698
Meeting Minutes
2-16-2010
Present: Zac and Chris Chwirka, Ally Garthright, Bob and Phyllis Nickolson, Bernie Hoversten, Dale Brumm, Kevin Pape, Jim Redmond, Mike Moore, and Warren Dunkle.
Memorial Mile:
Zac and Ally have been talking with the city to see about restoring this project. Several avenues still to be looked into at this point. One of the next steps is to speak with the landowners along the way and see if they would support this project. Instead of the original Elms being planted again we are looking at a smaller tree such as the Prairiefire crabapple.
Botany:
A botanist from the IA DNR contacted Kevin and advised he has found information about a previous botanist named Hayden that discovered a plant in Stone Park in 1936 that is now on the endangered species list. The original plant was documented by Hayden as growing by a school house, which is believed to have been the Boys of ’68 building. Kevin advised this plant still grows in the park and is located in the newly acquired addition of the park just above Hwy 12 by Riverside.
Rezoning Issue:
On February 2, 2010 an article appeared in the Sioux City Journal about the rezoning of a section below the park on Hwy 12 right at the edge of Riverside. The city is being asked to rezone this section of land to be light commercial. A portion of the park is directly above this section of land. Concerns were raised about this affecting the aspects of the land along this area if it is changed to light industrial and what may occur in the future. Planning and Zoning are holding a meeting on March 9, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Members from Friends are encouraged to attend and voice their concern. A motion was made to have the Friends speak. The motion carried by members present and Zac Chwirka will speak on behalf of the Friends group. The meeting was not held on Feb. 23rd.
Earth Fest:
Earth Fest will take place at Morningside College in the Greenspace on April 10th, 2010, rain or shine, from Noon until Dark. This is a free event and people are encouraged to bring picnics and blankets and enjoy the day of music and friendship. Several local bands and talent will be entertaining all through the day.
Jim Redmond and Mike Moore requested a monetary donation from the Friends to help defray the costs of sound and stage equipment. A motion was made to donate $200.00. The motion carried. The Friends will be setting up a table with Friends information and t-shirts for sale. Please stop by and visit!
Leave A Legacy Program:
Kevin suggested that the Friends group possibly look into what it takes to be placed on the Leave A Legacy Program. Chris volunteered to check it out.
Ranger Report:
They have been working on the Eco-System Management plan. They are investigating many options and possible plans.
The oldest Bur Oak tree in the park is from approximately 1796. Not many new oaks are growing due to the lack of areas with full sun. A future plan may include some clear cuttings and planting in areas to reestablish the Bur Oak population. This is discussion and no plans are under way at this time.
Hope to see you at the next meeting on April 13th, 2010, 7:00 p.m., at Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center. Please spread the word and come and see what we are about. You do not have to be a member to attend.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Pape
Park Ranger
Stone State Park
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
(712) 255-4698
Park News
It has been confirmed that a Woodcock nested in the park last Spring. We are still on the lookout for a Wood thrush.
IBA designation of Stone Park by The Audubon Society is still a possibility.
73 acres near Mt. Lucia has been burned. There was an addition 20 acres that needed burning but weather conditions did not cooperate. Ranger Pape has been assisting with other burns in the area.
IBA designation of Stone Park by The Audubon Society is still a possibility.
73 acres near Mt. Lucia has been burned. There was an addition 20 acres that needed burning but weather conditions did not cooperate. Ranger Pape has been assisting with other burns in the area.
Cabin and shelter reservations
Cabin and shelter reservations can be made at https://eservices.iowa.gov/iowaparks/ .
Campground Improvement Project Completed
Thanks to support from Regina Roth, John Gleeson, Jolly Time Popcorn, L & L Builders and numerous community supporters, our Campground Improvement Project has been totally funded.
The project includes construction of two log cabins, a separate youth campground and renovation of the original campground. Construction of the cabins and the youth campground have been completed. $137,000 from the Iowa Values Fund spearheaded the local match fundraising campaign.
No financial contributions went to administration, consultants or project design. 100% of the money donated to our campground improvement project went to construction. Call Greg Hoversten, Steering Committee Chairman at 251-0542 for more information.
The renovation of the existing campground is completed. The old shower building was demolished and a new facility has been constructed. Upgrading of improvements as well as landscaping has also been completed.
The project includes construction of two log cabins, a separate youth campground and renovation of the original campground. Construction of the cabins and the youth campground have been completed. $137,000 from the Iowa Values Fund spearheaded the local match fundraising campaign.
No financial contributions went to administration, consultants or project design. 100% of the money donated to our campground improvement project went to construction. Call Greg Hoversten, Steering Committee Chairman at 251-0542 for more information.
The renovation of the existing campground is completed. The old shower building was demolished and a new facility has been constructed. Upgrading of improvements as well as landscaping has also been completed.
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