Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-10-07
PROBE sS0R PAMMEL INePEcrS
AND APPROVES PROJECT FOR
PUBLIC PLAYGROUND.
RUGGED BLUFFS ON RIVER
MAKE An INVITING FIELD
Stretch Of Territory Reaching South
ward From 9ksamboat 70 EIdora Ono
OF Most Promising In State for Park
Purposss-Adjaoent Counties Asked
70 Co.opsrats.
'pecial to Times Republican.

Special to Times-Republican.
Steamboat Rock, Oct. This re-
gion Of central Iowa can secure a park
along the Iowa river. south Of Steam.
boat Rock. which will be one Of the
important state parks. of Iowa.
Prof. L H. Pamnei. chairman Of the
conservation board Of Iowa, Of Ames, q
botanist, has visited this region many
times. and highly approves the region
from Steamboat Rock to Eldora as one
OF the most desirable spots in Iowa
for a state park. The park will be de-
| veloped near Steamboat Rock because
Of it's great natural beauty and be-
cause it IL accessible. The equally
beautiful stretch Of river farther down
| and near Eldora are less accessible,
unless on foot or by boat.
The proposed park near Steamboat
Rock will afford beautiful river
stretches, bold and perpendicular cliffs,
tree-clothed bluffs. deep and shaded
ravines, springs Of pure water on both
| sides Of the river at convenient places,
varied and rare plant life not found on
the prairies of Iowa, and scarcely
found on it's other streams. There win
be an abundance Of picturesque spots
for camping and picnic parties for the
people of all this region of central
Iowa, and fine boating and fishing.
The state Of Iowa is ready to COM
mence its development as one Of the
larger parks Of the state, and will
make 1t not local but regional park,
which will serve the people over a re-
gion for fifty miles or more in all d.
terest in Marshalltown, Grundy Center,
Wellsburg. Ackley, Hampton. Hubbard
and Nevada as in Hardin county.
Rich in Minerals.
The park will be by the side OF the
Rainbow Highway, now an assured
fact, and Is readily reached from all
directions.
The region Is OF unusual interest to
the geologist as well as the botanist.
Here are the coal measures, the clays
and the sands and gravels which have
commercial value. The exposures or
sandstone. limestone and shale are in
teTeStlDS ana V6luaDi0.
The river. with It's turnings and
straight-away stretches from Steam
boat Rock south. II one of tho most
beautiful and interesting regions 70 be
found anywhere, and certainly Is not
surpassed in Iowa. It has been the
cherished hope Of many citizens that
the power dam near Eddora shall be
raised to a head Of twenty feet or more,
affordinx q beautiful little lake Of four
or i've times the present pond, with a
varied shore line, and giving oppor-
tunity for boating. fishing and camp
ing much greater than Is possible now.
Tho dam raised twenty Feet or more
will make a small lake extending up
the river to Steamboat Rock, and past
the proposed park. 10
1t is freely prophesied by those who
have given the park question careful
study and who know the great value
Of regional parks. and the growing
demand for them by the most prosper
GUS state in the union, that the entire
rocky gorge Of the Iowa river from
Alden to a point below Ndora will uI-
timately be developed into . park re-
gion which would surprise those who
have given 1t no attention.
Owners Of lands abutting an impor-
tant state work will realize that such
an enterprise win be Of personal and
financial benefit and should offer their
lands to the state at the most reason
able prices possible. In fact, it Is ex-
| pected that many owners of nom agd-
cultural lands will donate tracts. The
state does not acquire land for park
purposes which can be farmed. Such
Is the demand for state parks that the
state park board and executive coun-
Gil have various offers for park pur-
poses, and are compelled to choose
sites where the people mako offers OF
lands. After the park il established
the state develops. policies and main
tains 1t in all cases.
Whether the development will begin
early and on a large scale depends
upon the interest shown by the nearby
counties. and especially by adjacent To-
calities. II the entire plan Is developed
1t will become one of the most i'm
portant parks of Iowa and will be a
resort for all Of the people Of many
counties. The active interest Of the
people Of Marshalltown and OF Mar
shall county will be invited.
The Eldora Community Club, . per
manent organization. viii actively pro-
mote the project at Eldora