Iowa State Parks
Preserving our heritage for the next 100 years . . . Restoring Iowa State Parks to Their Premier Status
Iowa's state parks represent some of the most significant scenic areas of beauty in our State. Over the years, areas have suffered from lack of attention - including a shortage of funding to bring them to the national standard of leadership and pride that we once enjoyed. Their inherent beauty will be impacted if enhancement efforts aren't initiated.
Iowa parks have been the "first" in many categories:
- The very first national conference on State Parks was held in Iowa.
- The first parks developed were planned and laid out as model State Parks by the National Park Service.
- A large number of Iowa's first State Parks were donated.
As we approach the 100th anniversary of Iowa's State Parks in 2020, Keep Iowa Beautiful and other partners will focus attention on these unique and special places. KIB has helped develop a special advocacy group to address these concerns.
A coalition of leading Iowans, co-chaired by former Governor Terry E. Branstad and former Congressman Neil Smith, is being assembled. This group, along with support from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the State Parks program, will be developing plans and a vision for the future protection and enhancement of these areas.
Iowa State Parks Initiative Q & A
Do Your Part!
Be part of the new organization of our statewide park system - by being an advocate, volunteering, assisting with financial needs, promoting the mission, recruiting others who have an interest in preserving and enhancing the Iowa State Parks. We know this will be a collective effort with many individuals and organizations and hope you will choose to be a part of this history-making and preserving initiative.
For more information, please phone Terry Branstad at 515-271-1500 or Neil Smith at 515-288-2500 to share ways you would like to work together to embrace and renew these crown jewels of Iowa for the 100th Anniversary of Iowa State Parks in 2020.
Please fee free to also contact Gerry Schnepf, KIB Executive Director at 515-323-6507 and/or Kevin Szcodronski, Director of Iowa State Parks at 515-281-8674.