April 2024 Department Updates
Here are some updates on what's happening and what's to come at YOUR county parks.Marcus Nack, Environmental Education Manager
We've moved!
At long last, the transition of our administration office from our West Burlington location to Starr's Cave Nature Center is complete. All administrative functions and staff (Chris Lee, Director and Jeff Breuer, Administrative Assistant) are now based out of the nature center. Our phone number has not changed but our department's mailing address has. Our new address is:
11627 Starr's Cave Rd.
Burlington, IA 52601
Come see us and explore the park while you're here. It's a great time to get outside.
All Parks are OPEN!
Why am I shouting so much? Because we're so excited that spring is here and park season has arrived in full force. All our campgrounds are now open, the water is on, and already the campground at Big Hollow has filled to capacity (as of Friday, 4/12/24).
Get out and enjoy the great outdoors and shake off that winter cabin fever.
Did someone say CABIN?
While you're thinking about all the outdoor fun you're going to have this year, be sure to hop online and book a stay at the new Ranger House cabin at Big Hollow. This 3-bedroom ranch house once served as the on-site park ranger residence and now has been converted into a rental cabin. With its secluded location and private pond access, it makes for a great weekend getaway destination for families. It's a perfect spot to put up visiting friends and family, too.
Make your reservation for this summer today!
New campsites coming this summer
Here we are in the second week of April and we've already sold out all the sites at Big Hollow Recreation Area for the weekend. This all-too-common situation is a big reason we launched the campaign to raise money to build more sites. We're happy to announce that we've made great progress already this spring on those sites. The electric pedestals have all been installed and we just need the power company to run the lines in to feed them and we'll have electricity to the sites. Our own crews will do some more grading and leveling as the weather allows and once that's done, we'll bring in some rock to surface the new road and sites and get them finished and ready to camp. We're still optimistic that we'll have the sites ready for use in time for Memorial Day Weekend.
Stay tuned for updates.
Upcoming Events
Summer Camp Sign Up
Spaces are still available in select summer camps! Register today to embark on a summer of outdoor exploration and discovery.
Hike a Park Events
Embark on an adventure through some of our region's most picturesque landscapes:
Earth Day Clean-Up Event (April 20th, 8:00 AM @ Port of Burlington)
Join us for our Earth Day Clean-Up event on April 20th at 8:00 AM, a couple of days ahead of the official Earth Day celebration. Let's come together to preserve the natural beauty of our community and planet.
At Starr’s Cave Nature Center, we're dedicated to fostering a deeper connection with nature and promoting environmental stewardship. Whether you're attending one of our events, joining a guided walk, or exploring our parks, we invite you to join us in our mission to protect and preserve our natural heritage. For more information about Des Moines County Conservation, visit www.DMCconservation.com. Let's make this April a month to remember as we embrace the beauty and serenity of the great outdoors!
Wildflower Walk (April 20th, 1:30 PM)
Join us for a leisurely stroll amidst a vibrant tapestry of wildflowers on April 20th at 1:30 PM. Led by knowledgeable guides, this enchanting walk promises to reveal the beauty and diversity of the native flora that adorns our landscape. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the colors and fragrances of spring.
published Monday, April 8, 2024
