Residents offer input to revitalize parks

DYERSVILLE, Iowa -- An ATV park, cabins and better trail connections top the list among residents seeking to develop a long-term, sustainable strategy to revitalize Iowa's state park system.

"Right now, we have to travel to Wisconsin and give them our money," said Don Leuchs, of Dyersville, one of more than 30 members of the Northeast Iowa Action Trail Club of Dubuque. "Hopefully, we open up something here in the area, instead of traveling an hour or two. There are ATV trails in Solon and Waterloo, but so far" none around here.

About 15 residents gathered Thursday at the Dyersville Social Center to provide input on outdoor offerings and improvements they would like to see in the area.

Gov. Terry Branstad, the Iowa Parks Foundation and the Green Ribbon Commission in September announced nearly $2 million in state funding will go to enhance recreation offerings in Dubuque, Jackson and Jones counties as part of a pilot project in a long-term effort to improve Iowa's parks.

Representatives from the City of Dubuque, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Dubuque Area Convention & Visitors Bureau have held meetings across the tri-county region gathering public feedback to develop a plan by mid-February to improve the four state parks in the area, as well as the county and municipal parks. (full article…)

BY THOMAS J. BARTON, Dubuque Telegraph Herald, January 23, 2015. THOMAS.BARTON@THMEDIA.COM

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