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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: Big Creek State ParkReturn

New Track Chair at Big Creek State Park opens doors to the outdoors

• 6/18/2024 12:04:00 PM
• View Count 2505

POLK CITY – Big Creek State Park has a new way to explore the outdoors through the addition of an Action Trackchair®.

DNR investigates tree and fire vandalism at Big Creek State Park

• 3/26/2024 11:46:00 AM
• View Count 2874

POLK CITY, IA – On March 15 around 10:30 p.m. several local law enforcement agencies were called to Big Creek State Park to extinguish an illegal bonfire at the east boat ramp, which was allegedly set by a party of youths. When officials arrived on scene, the youths dispersed. No arrests have been made.

Road construction project to begin at Big Creek State Park

• 6/16/2020 1:45:00 PM
• View Count 2570

A new road construction project at Big Creek State Park will begin this week, according to DNR park staff.

DNR to close Olofson, Banner shooting ranges

• 3/18/2020 2:45:00 PM
• View Count 2695

Des Moines, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has closed the Olofson shooting range, near Big Creek State Park, and the Banner shooting range at Summerset State Park,  through March 31.

Ramsey Subaru donates bike racks to five Iowa state parks

• 10/22/2019 3:54:00 PM
• View Count 2048

DES MOINES – Ramsey Subaru of Des Moines has donated $2,500 to purchase bike racks at five Iowa state parks. The dealership will present the check at a small ceremony at Big Creek State Park on Friday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m.

Outdoors skills classes offered at Olofson shooting range

• 1/8/2019 12:34:00 PM
• View Count 4165

Polk City, Iowa - The Olofson Shooting Range, at Big Creek State Park, has scheduled more than 70 outdoor skills programs open to the public in 2019, including hunter education, hand gun basics, taxidermy, Dutch oven cooking, how to use a trail camera and more. Programs begin on Jan. 16 with a course on cleaning and storing guns.  

Learn to Hunt series teaches waterfowl hunting basics at Butch Olofson

• 8/21/2018 12:45:00 PM
• View Count 5254

Polk City - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Capitol Callers Chapter of Delta Waterfowl are offering two classes teaching waterfowl hunting basics at the Butch Olofson Shooting Range, near Big Creek State Park.

Big Creek State Park to Host 6,000 Step Family Challenge Event

• 4/24/2018 12:16:00 PM
• View Count 3041

Big Creek State Park is hosting a 6,000-step challenge walk on April 29 from 1 to 4 p.m., encouraging people to be healthy outdoors.

Big Creek volunteer opportunity/meeting Sept. 12

• 9/7/2017 8:18:00 AM
• View Count 3812

DES MOINES -- Big Creek State Park will host a volunteer event and informational meeting Tuesday, Sept. 12

Johnston man pleaded guilty to deer poaching at Big Creek State Park

• 2/21/2017 3:18:00 PM
• View Count 8309

Polk City - Roy Penney, 49, of Johnston, pleaded guilty to using a motor vehicle to take deer, wanton waste of game, hunting in a refuge, failure to tag the deer and interference with official acts in Polk County Court on Feb. 17.

Temporary Trail Closure at Big Creek State Park

• 6/21/2016 11:35:00 AM
• View Count 4020

Des Moines – The Neal Smith Trail will be closed temporarily near mile marker 24 for repairs beginning Wednesday, June 22. The section of the trail is located near the Gannet Shelter and east boat ramp in Big Creek State Park. Repairs are expected to be completed June 24, weather permitting.

Road Closures at Big Creek State Park

• 4/11/2016 9:40:00 AM
• View Count 4424

Des Moines – The main road into Big Creek State Park will be closed beginning Tuesday, April 12.

Olofson Shooting Range to Close Dec 20 for Construction

• 12/1/2015 7:04:00 AM
• View Count 8339

POLK CITY - The Charles “Butch” Olofson shooting range at Big Creek State Park in Polk County will close on December 20 to allow contractors to remove the old structures and install a new registration and classroom facility, add new baffles, and conduct lead reclamation and berm maintenance.