x PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 



additional acres, condemn or acquire roadways and improve the same 

 and otherwise render the area enjoyable. 



NEAR KEOSAUQUA, VAN BUREN COUNTY. 



Extends from the town along the south bank of the Des Moines river 

 at the toe of the horseshoe bend some two miles up stream, thence south- 

 ward from the stream to include some 1,400 acres. Natural wild life 

 sanctuary and set apart to the unmodified and undisturbed use of the 

 natural species of wild animal and plant life; rough, wooded, brushy, the 

 high hills affording rarest of vistas up, down and across stream and 

 crowned with prehistoric mounds; the ruffed grouse observed in summer 

 1919, with quail most abundant; winter resort and summer breeding 

 place of the cardinal ; numerous dens of fox, skunk, mink, raccoon, op- 

 posum and groundhog; for a mile in all directions of the state lands, 

 landowners voluntarily engage to assist the state in its protecting wild 

 life, both on their lands and the lands of the state so that there shall be 

 a protected undisturbed breeding place of approximately 5,000 acres; 

 "Ely's Ford," a historic river crossing of pre-railroad days, famous then 

 and ever since as a camping site for hunting, fishing, bathing and for 

 winter sports. Acquired by purchase at an average of fifty dollars per 

 acre to which local citizens contributed in cash something over seventy- 

 six hundred dollars. 



LEPLEY PARK, HARDIN COUNTY. 



Three miles in a northerly direction from Union. Nine acres presented 

 cost free to the people of Iowa by Mr. Irvin Lepley ; the state to purchase 

 some additional twenty acres. On the tract presented and that to be 

 acquired are magnificent oak, elm, walnut, basswood and nearly every 

 other native species of timber, wild flowers, woods, river, and important 

 highways near make of this place an ideal gift to be dedicated to the 

 perpetual use to which it has been devoted from the earliest civilized 

 times, namely, the enjoyment of the great outdoors. The board feels that 

 in withholding from mercenary disposition this area and its transfer to 

 the state in the way and for the purposes stated, warrants the board in 

 commending Mr. Lepley to the gratitude of the people of the state. 



NEAR OAKLAND, POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY. 



The Oakland Chautauqua Association donates, cost free to the state 

 of Iowa, its fifteen acres of ground of a high pecuniary value and still 

 higher esthetic value as the first roadside park in Iowa, upon the condi- 

 tion that the state acquire a small additional area of ground completing 

 and perfecting the foundation of an ideal roadside park. The additional 

 ground being held at an exorbitant price, is yet to be condemned. The 

 committee commends to citizens in other parts of Iowa the spirit of the 

 Oakland Chautauqua Association as of the most practical, unselfish and 

 farseeing character. 



