The Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau is seeking public input on possible changes to the minimum-stay requirements for all state park campgrounds and at the multi-family cabin at Springbrook State Park for the Fourth of July holiday. The public is also being asked for comments regarding the proposed rental fee pricing for a large open-air picnic shelter scheduled to be built and opened in 2017 at Lake Manawa State Park.
The DNR would like to change the three-night minimum stay requirement for Fourth of July reservations at all campgrounds and at the multi-family cabin at Springbrook State Park. Currently a 3-night minimum stay is required for the Fourth of July holiday when the Fourth of July occurs on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Monday. The DNR would like to require a 3-night minimum stay for the Fourth of July holiday ONLY when the Fourth of July occurs on a Monday, making it similar to the Memorial Day and Labor Day holiday requirements.
A new, large open picnic shelter design is now being used in Iowa state parks. These new shelters, accommodating 150-200 people, are two to four times larger than the older style shelters and are equipped with electricity. The DNR proposes the new shelter at Lake Manawa State Park have the same rental fee, $75 per day, as the large shelters currently available at Big Creek and Lake Darling state parks, and Brushy Creek State Recreation Area.
To view further details of the rule changes, visit iowadnr.gov/parks and select “Proposed Rule Changes” on the left menu.
Any interested person may call in or make written suggestions or comments on the proposed amendments. Comments should be directed to Sherry Arntzen, State Parks Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Wallace State Office Building, 502 East Ninth Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0034; fax at 515/725-8201; or e-mail to Sherry.Arntzen@dnr.iowa.gov; or call at 515/725-8486. Comments must be received by 4:30 PM (CST) Monday, Nov. 21, 2016.