Thanks for Mayhem at Stone State Park!

Children's Miracle Network and the Friends of Stone Park were proud to sponsor the Mayhem 2013 event at Stone State Park.  Thank you to all who slogged through the mud to benefit Children's Miracle Network.  Thanks to the sponsors, the volunteers, and all the participants for making the event a success!  I hope you all had fun.

 

Mud is actually good.

I actually look forward to next year.

Audubon Sponsors Hike at Spirit Knoll

The Loess Hills chapter of the National Audubon Society hosted a hike at Spirit Knoll on Saturday, May 4th.  Tim Sproul from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation led the hike with help from Bill Zales, Iowa DNR Wildlife Biologist Doug Chafa, and Park Ranger Kevin Pape.

Although the weather was less than ideal, participants were able to learn about the natural history of the area. Hikers got to see Spirit Knoll's landscape, wildlife, and even a few blooming prairie plants.
Special thanks go to the members of the Loess Hills chapter of Audubon for their $5,000 donation to the Burcham addition to Spirit Knoll.

A few of the highlights of the hike include seeing a Black-crowned Night Heron on the 7 acre lake, learning about Cedar Apple Rust, and finding several blooming Missouri Milk Vetch plants.  (photos courtesy of Randy Williams)

Siouxland Nature Additions

The Friends of Stone Park recently presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF).

The INHF will use the funds for the Siouxland Nature Additions.  Read more about it here -http://www.inhf.org/siouxland-nature-additions.cfm
(left to right, Zac Chwirka, Pres. Friends of Stone Park, Anita O'Gara, -Vice-Pres. of Development INHF, John Gray, and Greg Grupp -INHF-Board Members).

Volunteers Wanted to Help Clean-up the Highway

The Friends have their annual Roadside Clean-up on Saturday, April 27th, 2013.  Meet at the parking lot of Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, 4500 Sioux River Rd. at 10:00 AM.  We will provide trash bags.  The event lasts for two hours.  Please bring gloves.  We will be working along State Highway 12 for the Adopt-A-Highway program.

The Stone Park Diet

Quite a few locals use the park for regular exercise.  Some people walk their dog in the park every day.  Some people take to the park's trails every day.  Of course the park roads are closed this time of year, so some hearty souls love to walk the roads.

I have talked to more than one person that claimed to have lost significant weight by walking in the park every day.  So if your New Years Resolution is to lose weight, take the "Stone Park Diet" by walking the park at least three times a week for some great cardio.  It sure beats the treadmill!

Broken Toe Trail Run/Walk 2012

Thank you Missouri River Runners, Friends of Stone Park, and all the runners and walkers who participated in Broken Toe 2012!  Photos courtesy of Doug Hansen with Missouri River Runners.

Broken Toe Run/Walk 2012

The Missouri River Runners bring you Broken Toe Trail Run/Walk on October 6th, 2012.  Registration starts at 9:00 AM and the Run/Walk starts at 10:00 AM.  Visit the Missouri River Runners webpage for more information- http://www.missouririverrunners.com/RacePages/BrokenToe/racepage.htm  Proceeds from the event benefit The Friends of Stone Park.

100th Anniversary A Fun Day At The Park

Smiling Faces at the 100th Anniversary!

Stone Park Celebrates 100 Years!