Allamakee County Conservation Board tours recent park projects

Allamakee County Conservation Director Jim Janett recently led members of the County Conservation Board on a tour of several of the many sites established and maintained by Allamakee County Conservation. The first stop on the tour was Stonebrook Park (pictured), located across the road from the former location of the Old Stone House on the banks of the Yellow River in southern Allamakee County. Construction of a new shelter house was recently completed at the site, along with an information kiosk, outhouse and handicapped-accessible walkways connecting them. The group also visited the Volney Conservation Park, located at the junction of Bear Creek and the Yellow River, where playground equipment purchased with funds from a Carver Grant was installed several years ago. The final stop on the tour was the Kolsrud Memorial Park near Waterville, which was donated by the Robert and Eunice Kolsrud family in memory of Helmer and Emma Kolsrud. The park features the first handicapped-accessible trout fishing area in the state of Iowa, in addition to playground equipment purchased with Carver Grant funds. Janett also discussed possibilities of expanding the park to include land recently donated by the Halverson family. Standard photo/report by Bob Beach.