Recreational Facilities

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Recreational Facilities
Boone County is located in central Iowa along the Des Moines River. The river corridor has not
been urbanized within Boone County and its surroundings remain relatively untouched due in
part to ownership by government. This river corridor offers many recreational opportunities.
State Recreational Facilities
Although some of the parks listed below may be located outside Boone County these resources
are still utilized by the residents of Boone County. A general distance of 30 miles was used
when determining what sites to include in the following:
Table 32: State Parks
Name
County
Ledges State
Boone
Park
Size
1,200
Acres
Brushy Creek
State
Recreation
Area
Webster
6,000
Acres+
Dolliver
Memorial
State Park
Webster
457
Acres
Polk
3,550
Acres
Big
Creek
State Park
Features
Amenities
Sandstone ledges, streams campground, hiking
(2), lake, and pond
and natural trails,
boating, stream fishing,
snow mobiles, cross
county skiing, scenic
overlooks
690 acre lake, creek, and Equestrian camping,
Des Moines River
non-equestrian
camping, fishing,
boating, swimming, 50
miles of multi-purpose
trails (horseback riding,
hiking, snowmobiling,
cross country skiing,
and mountain biking).
Sandstone formations,
Camping, nature trails,
petrified logs and sticks,
boating and fishing,
Prairie Creek, Indian
picnicking, shelters,
mounds, canyons, and
and a lodge
wooded hillsides
866 acre lake
Picnicking, shelters,
camping, 26 miles of
multi-purpose trails
(bicycling, hiking, cross
country skiing), hunting,
and shooting range)
Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources
These four (4) facilities provide multiple opportunities to the residents of Boone County for
recreating. All four of these parks are either in Boone County or in adjacent counties. Boone
County Conservation is responsible for seven different facilities within Boone County. These
include Buffalo Grove, Dickcissel Park, Mabaska, Rhoades Acres, J. Carlson Wildlife Area,
Swede Point Park and Don Williams Lake. The features of each park are outlined below in
Boone County, Iowa ● Comprehensive Development Plan ● 2007 to 2027
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RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Table 33. Most county parks have places designated for passive recreation such as camping,
hiking, and picnicking. These activities do not have an intense impact on the environment.
However, some of the county parks do provide more specialized recreational activities including
golfing and boating.
Table 33: Boone County Parks and Facilities
Name
Type of
Size
Features
Facility
Buffalo Grove Wildlife
126
Prairie grass and woodlands,
Area
Acres
and Beaver Creek.
Dickcissel
Park
38 Acres Trumpeter Swans (winter
Park
only)
Mabaska
Wildlife 17 Acres Pond, Trumpeter swans
Area
Rhoades
Hunting
150
Floodplain, native grasses
Acres
Area
Acres
and timber
J. Carlson
Wildlife 80 Acres Newly planted sand prairie,
Wildlife Area
Area
fishing pond
Swede Park Passive 108 acres
Point
park
Don Williams
Park
Park
600 acres
160 acre lake
Activities
Hunting and fishing
Picnicking, fishing,
wildlife viewing.
Wildlife viewing
Hunting
Hunting and Fishing
Hiking
Camp Ground
Enclosed Shelter
Hiking
Camp Grounds
Fishing
Public Beach
Golf course
Restaurants (2)
Source: Boone County Conservation website
Boone County, Iowa ● Comprehensive Development Plan ● 2007 to 2027
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RE
ECREATION
NAL FACILIITIES
Map off state parks
S
h //
/ ll
/b b//
C
has th
hree Iowa Sttate Forests located in itts boundarie
es. The total area of the three
Boone County
is 386 accres. The forrests only ad
dd to the recreational op
pportunities for the reside
ents of Boon
ne
County. The
T three fo
orests are Ba
arkely State Forest, Holsst State Fore
est, and Pilot Mound Sta
ate
Forest.
Table 34
4: State Fore
ests in Boo
one County
Nam
me
Size
S
Activitie
es
Barkely State
S
40 Acres
A
Hun
nting and na
ature
Forest
stud
dy
Hun
Holst Sta
ate
313
3
nting, used for
f
Forest
Ac
cres
rese
earch,
exp
perimentation
n, nature
stud
dy and
man
nagement.
Pilot Mou
und
33 Acres
A
Picn
nicking, Hiking,
State Forest
Hun
nting
SOURCE: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY STUDY
T
, 2002
Boone Cou
unty, Iowa ● Comprehensiv
C
ve Developmen
nt Plan ● 2007
7 to 2027
Paage 46
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Other Recreational Activities
Golf Courses
There are eight golf courses in or within close proximity to residents in Boone County. The golf
courses in the general vicinity of Boone County include the following:
Table 35: Golf Courses in Boone County
Course
Type
Location
Boone Golf and Country
Private
Boone
Club
Ames Golf and Country
Private
Ames
Club
Homewood Municipal
Public
Ames
Golf Course
Oak Public Golf Course
Public
Ames
Veenker Memorial Golf
Public
Ames
Course
Perry Golf and Country
SemiPerry
Club
private
Honey Creek Golf Club
Public
Boone
Don Williams Golf
Public
Odgen
Course
Distance from Boone
NA
18
18
18
18
35
NA
8
Source: www.golfable.com
Boone Speedway
Boone County Speedway is located along the south edge of Boone along US Highway 30. The
track is a one-third mile dirt high banked oval. The speedway’s season runs from early-April to
early-September.
The speedway is host to the IMCA Super Nationals during the month of September. The
Nationals include stock cars, hobby stock, late models, sprint cars, sportmmod, and the Sunoco
modifieds.
Boone County Scenic Railroad
The Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad is located in Boone. The railroad was started in 1983 as
the Boone Railroad Historical Society. The organization purchased over 11 acres of land
including the bridges along the route. The railroad operates a gift shop and museum at their
Boone location. Currently, the railroad has purchased an additional 25 acres for expanding the
museum operation. The railroad gives rides with various train equipment, as well as dinner and
dessert trains between Memorial Day weekend and the end of October.
Equipment owned/restored/operated by the Boone and Scenic Railroad includes:
•
•
The Wolf Dessert Train – This train has first class service on the historic, “City of San
Francisco” or “City of Los Angeles.”
JS8419 Steam Locomotive
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RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
•
•
•
•
•
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•
Electric Trolley – The restored 1915 Charles City & Western electric trolley.
Diesel Engine
Chicago Northwestern Railroad 11068 Caboose
Chicago Great Western Railroad caboose 606 – A “Eastern” cupola caboose
constructed in 1946
FtDDM&S Box Car – The box car was constructed in 1919 and served on the
FTDDM&S beginning in 1938
6540 Engine
Chicago Great Western Tank Car
More information can be found at the facility or online at http://www.scenic-valleyrr.com
Boone County Historical Society and Museum
The Boone County Historical Society and Museum is located in Boone at the northeast corner of
Sixth Street and Story Street.
Kate Shelley Railroad Museum and Park
The Kate Shelley Railroad Museum and Park is located in Moingona, Iowa at 1198 – 232nd
Street. The museum does not have specific hours of operation. There is no admission fee for
the museum. The facility honors 15-year old Kate Shelley’s heroic actions in 1881 when she
saved a passenger train from disaster. The facility is owned by the Boone County Historical
Society.
Seven Oaks
Seven Oaks is a multi-recreational facility located off US Highway 30 between Boone and
Ogden. The facility offers several types of seasonal recreational opportunities for the family.
These recreational opportunities include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Snow tubing
Skiing
Snowboarding
Canoeing, kayaking, and river tubing
Moto X courses
Mountain bike courses
Two paintball courses
Camping
Besides the activities listed above, the park area has facilities for several types of occasions
including a lodge. In addition, the snowboarding facilities are host to two United States of
America Snowboarding Association snowboard competitions.
More information can be found at the facility or online at http://www.sevenoaksrec.com
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RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Iowa Arboretum
The Iowa Arboretum is located on 378 acres in Boone County. The arboretum contains
hundreds of species of trees, shrubs, and flowers. The facility contains the “Library Trail” that
allows the user the opportunity to experience 19 different plant collections, plant groupings with
similar uses. The preserve offers woodland trails with scenic overlooks, deep ravines, and
streams. The Iowa Arboretum is owned and operated by a private non-profit corporation. The
arboretum was established in 1966 from a 40-acre parcel.
Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace
The Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace is located in Boone at 709 Carroll Street. Mamie Doud
Eisenhower was the wife of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The house has been converted to
a museum. The museum contains numerous pieces of historic information and memorabilia
from her life and the life of the former president. The house is owned by the Boone County
Historical Society.
Recreation in Des Moines Area
Iowa State Fair Campgrounds
The State Fair Campgrounds are filled with century-old trees, woodland flora, and small wildlife.
More than 160 acres are home to thousands of campsites, part of the historic Iowa State
Fairgrounds' versatile complex of permanent buildings and exhibit facilities. Camping facilities
include more than 1,800 sites with water and electrical hookups, hundreds more without, and
nearly 600 sites with sewer. There are four large bathhouses with showers, toilets and sinks.
New office and bathhouse facilities were constructed in 2002. Three dumping stations provide
convenient waste disposal for RVs and trailers. A brand new safe shelter was completed in
2003. (www.iowastatefair.com)
Adventureland Amusement Park
Adventureland Amusement Park is located in Altoona, the northeastern part of the Des Moines
Metropolitan Area. Adventureland Park, Adventureland Inn, and Adventureland Campground all
make up this resort complex. The Park contains over 100 rides, shows, and attractions,
including roller coasters and thrill rides. Adventureland presents a full array of shows in the park
from live music to magic to song and dance. (www.adventureland-usa.com)
Des Moines Botanical Center
The Des Moines Botanical Center is a popular cultural attraction within the state of Iowa. The
center provides educational, recreational, and community resources to thousands. Its goal is to
provide botanical displays and educational services for the people of Iowa. It is located on 14
acres along the east bank of the Des Moines River, close to downtown Des Moines.
The botanical center is owned by the City of Des Moines and operated under the Des Moines
Water Works Department. Support for the Des Moines Botanical Center comes from both public
and private dollars, including tax revenues from the City of Des Moines and other surrounding
communities. In addition, revenues are received from memorials, contributions, grants,
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membership fees, and fundraising events by the Friends of the Botanical Center. The Des
Moines Botanical Center is a member of the American Association of Botanical Gardens and
Arboreta.
(www.botanicalcenter.com)
Professional/Semi-Professional Athletics
The Des Moines area has four professional/semi-professional athletic organizations.
include:
•
•
•
•
They
Des Moines Buccaneers Hockey
Des Moines Menace Soccer
Iowa Cubs Baseball
Iowa Stars Hockey
Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows has been a part of central Iowa since 1989. According to the Prairie Meadows
website, the mission of Prairie Meadows is to promote economic development, agriculture, jobs,
tourism, and entertainment.
The facility includes a 1,500 slot machine casino open 24-hours, seasonal live Thoroughbred,
Quarter Horse and Harness racing from April – November (including daily simulcast horse and
greyhound wagering). The Track Apron Stage hosts national headliners who perform throughout
the year. (www.prairiemeadows.com)
Blank Park Zoo
Blank Park Zoo is located in south Des Moines. The facility is open year-round. During the
months of May-September the zoo is open daily from 10 am-5 pm. During the months of
October through April both the indoor and outdoor exhibits are open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00
pm. Hours are subject to weather conditions. In addition, the zoo is closed for Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and New Year's Day. (www.blankparkzoo.com)
State of Iowa Historical Building
The Iowa Historical Building houses several functions. One of those functions is the historical
museum. The facility is located in downtown Des Moines at 600 East Locust. The facility is open
Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday noon to 4:30 p.m. and Monday
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during June, July and August. The building is closed on Monday, New
Year’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
In addition to the museum, the building also houses the historical library and archives, historic
preservation offices, administrative offices of the Department of Cultural Affairs, the State
Historical Society of Iowa, the Historical Foundation, and the Iowa Arts Council.
(www.iowahistory.org)
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