Make a plan to enjoy Iowa’s state parks

     This past Saturday might have been our last decent weather day as we transition into December and the winter season.

     I don’t kknow about you, but I (safely) took advantage of the day and got out of my house. Plenty of time to be cooped up as the temperature start climbing down into the unfortunate seasonable highs…

     However, there are those (unlike myself) who still enjoy spending time outdoors despite the cooler and cold temps. For that singular population, I have just the thing for you…

     The Iowa DNR, the Iowa Arts Council (a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs), and Iowa State University College of Design have all come together for a great initiative: “20 Artists, 20 Parks.”

     The program is in honor of the 100^th anniversary of the Iowa state parks system, which was celebrated in 2020. (One good thing to come out of this year…) In 1920, Backbone State Park in Delaware County was dedicated. Since then, the Iowa parks system has grown to include 72 parks and forests across the state.

     To commemorate this occasion, the above-mentioned entities came together to feature 20 Iowa artists and 20 state parks. These artists come from ISU’s colleges of Design, Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Liberal Arts and Sciences. In the summer of 2019, these artists created unique pieces depicting their interpretation of each of the 20 parks.

     “State parks selected for the project represent diverse ecological, geological, and cultural experiences that make Iowa unique,” states the Iowa Culture website.

     The artwork includes paintings, sculptures, textiles, and other works of art inspired by the 20 parks selected.

     The 20 artists will tour the State of Iowa throughout 2020-21 to showcase their work (though with the pandemic, some events may be on hold).

     State parks in this area of note that were part of the tour include: Maquoketa Caves in Maquoketa, Backbone in Dundee, Palisades-Kepler in Mount Vernon, Lake MacBride in Solon, and Mines of Spain/E.B. Lyons Nature Center in Dubuque.

      Helpful tip, we all carry our smartphone wherever we go, so why not download the free Iowa Cultures app? It features many activities and recreational opportunities in Iowa, including a handy map and guide for “20 Artists, 20 Parks.”

     The tab gives you biographies on each of the artists, as well as history on each of the 20 parks. For instance, did you know that Lake MacBride was named after Thomas MacBride, the father of Iowa conservation?

     Maquoketa Caves contains more caves than any other park in Iowa. It’s also one of Iowa’s earliest state parks since 1860.

     Backbone, as indicated earlier, was Iowa’s first state park. One of the ridges within the park, known as “The Devil’s Backbone,” is the highest point in Northeast Iowa. Hence the name of the park…

     The Mines of Spain is not only a state park, but a National Historic Landmark. The location was used for lead mining until after the Civil War. The park is also home to the Julien Dubuque Memorial, the first settler in Dubuque.

     Due to extensive storm damage following the Aug. 10 derecho, unfortunately Palisades-Kepler State Park is closed indefinitely. However, the park contains Native American Indian mounds, showcasing the early history of the park.

     While Jones County’s lovely Wapsipinicon State Park in Anamosa did not make the coveted “20” list, it goes without saying how much this local park is cherished. This park was also built in the 1920s when the state park system was established, built using labor from the Anamosa State Penitentiary. In 2014, Wapsi Park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

     So despite the cool weather, make a plan to visit local and area parks (easier said than done, I know). They’re free. They’re easy to get to. You can social distance from the public. You can get some fresh air. And you can enjoy Iowa’s history.