Inaugural year of the State Parks of Iowa Fund
By Abby Hade Terpestra on August 26, 2024 in Blog
Since 2017, annual state park visitors have increased by roughly 1.7 million, according to a study done by MSA Professional Services for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Even as the COVID-19 pandemic stabilized, park tourism has stayed high, showing a heightened interest in outdoor recreation. Meanwhile, the demand for infrastructure repairs and improvements to accommodate increased usage is far beyond the state funding available. According to an article published in the Cedar Rapids Gazette in March, Iowa’s state parks have over $100M in outstanding infrastructure needs while being funded at the status quo level of $7.2M annually.
“State Parks need all the help that Iowans can give them,” says Kevin Szcodronski, retired DNR State Parks Bureau Chief. “With SPIF, a small group of state park believers has created a means to fill a niche for private individuals and groups to aid state parks. These people care. They have pride for their state park.”
“Iowa’s beloved state parks are worthy of special stewardship and care,” says Anna Gray, INHF’s Public Policy Director and Counsel. “While INHF and our partners work to create more parks, trails and wildlife areas to meet the public demand for outdoor recreation opportunities, we have also been long-time advocates for the care of existing areas and for funding solutions, like the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. SPIF is a way for local communities to show support for their parks and lead in their care and stewardship.”
Proceeds from the sale of the book ‘Iowa’s State Parks, A Century of Stewardship, 1920-2020,’ combined with private fundraising efforts, launched the State Parks of Iowa Fund in 2023. A group of citizens with a joint love of Iowa’s outdoors; Gerald Schnepf, Mark Ackelson, Ann Raisch and Kevin Szcodronski; met with Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation to create a grantmaking program to assist established Friends groups with improvement projects that better visitor experiences.
Bellevue, Stone, Wildcat Den, Ledges, Lake Anita and Maquoketa Caves State Parks’ Friend groups were the six recipients chosen for grants of $1000 each in SPIF’s inaugural year out of fifteen applicants. The projects funded range from ADA bathroom renovations to youth outreach materials to nature playscape repairs.
“After ten years of our Discovery Forest Nature Playscape being a popular destination, it is time for repairs and replacement of some features,” said Theresa Kruid of Woodbury County Conservation Foundation, which provides Friends support to Stone State Park and the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center. “The SPIF funding helps us to add musical, climbing and inclusive elements that encourage children to connect with the natural world.”
“Iowa’s State Parks and the State Park Friends groups that love them need our support. We can share the work and need by increasing the State Parks of Iowa Fund,” adds Gerry Schnepf. “With an increase in the fund, we can provide more dollar support to these Friends groups around Iowa — a great way to help improve the best of Iowa’s natural heritage and support local citizen efforts.”
Learn More
Application guidelines, additional information and a link to donate to the State Parks of Iowa Fund are all found at www.inhf.org/spif. Applications are due October 15, 2024.