20 PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 



Keosauqua, Iowa, July 12, 1919. 



Present Messrs. Pammel, Harlan and Ford. The members 

 having visited the region of Lee and Van Buren counties and 

 being in company with B. F. Ketcham, Phil K. Ware and others 

 of Farmington, inspected an area locally called "Big Duck Pond," 

 the same being a hilly, wooded tract near the middle of which is 

 a spring-fed shallow lake, approximately forty acres in extent, 

 now more than two-thirds covered by a gorgeous field of lotus. 

 The woods embrace a vast variety of plant life, for instance, of 

 the oak species a hasty examination disclosed everything native 

 to Iowa except the pin oak, and it is believed that even this exists. 



The above named citizens and their associates proposed to the 

 Board of Conservation that if within a reasonably near future the 

 state would take over and administer the same, by at least re- 

 pairing the dam and restoring the lake level to its former height, 

 and by making the margins of the lake accessible by roads, the 

 said citizens would acquire title and possession of not less than 

 100 acres, embracing the wood and lake areas, and present the 

 same cost free to the state of Iowa. 



They further suggest the average cost per acre would be about 

 $75.00. 



The Board observes the dam referred to is a dirt dam approxi- 

 mately four feet across the top ; not to exceed six feet in height ; 

 erected at some prior time but cut through by a former stream 

 outlet. It observes that road-ways lead upon and into the 

 lands by way of gates both from the north and south approaches. 

 It observes that the lake itself is within 1000 yards of the Des 

 Moines river, on the margin of which is a public highway gen- 

 erally traveled from the town of Athens in Missouri to Farm- 

 ington, Iowa, and extending respectively to beyond these two 

 points. 



The Board considers that if the citizens will obtain the 100-acre 

 area in such a way that it will extend all about the lake and on 

 down its outlet to the Des Moines river, and otherwise eon- 

 .form to their proposition, the board considers the offer a valu- 

 able one and hereby recommends to the Executive Council the 

 acquisition of the lands in compliance with the terms thereof. 



Adjourned. 



