PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 153 



"I am of the opinion that if we could get the state to acquire this land, 

 which may be some two hundred acres, and as much more as may be 

 needed. It is cheap land and it is my opinion that it can be bought on an 

 average of $50 an acre, and possibly less. 



"We would like to get the state interested in looking over this ground 

 aind get something started before the owners find out anything about what 

 the purpose is, so that they would not innate the price. 



"Will you please be kind enough to advise me in the premises? It is 

 my opinion that we could arrange a drive, and later on a boulevard be- 

 tween this land and Ottumwa, and make use of it immediately." 



STONE PARK, SIOUX CITY. 

 By E. A. Burgess. 



I heartily concur in the suggestion that a number Of fair sized parks, 

 located in different parts of the state, would serve the public interests 

 better than a single Large park. In that connection in my judgment, Stone 

 Park, in Sioux City, by making additions up and down the river, and ex- 

 tending the park further eastward, making it embrace some 3,000 acres of 

 land, is an admirable location for a state park. As a natural preserve for 

 birds and animal life, and plant life, it has unusual features to recommend 

 it. The necessary adjoining land could also be obtained at a reasonable 

 price, and I am certain that arrangements could be miade with the city to 

 bring about such a result. There are some 'half dozen localities in the 

 state which are peculiarly adapted for state park purposes, and I regard 

 Stone Park as having advantages for such purposes not excelled by any 

 of these other localities. 



OCHEYEDAN MOUND, OSCEOLA COUNTY. 

 By George F. Kay, Geologist. 



Among the many interesting surface features of Iowa, there are few, 

 if any, that have attracted more attention or have excited more wonder 

 than Ocheyedan Mound, which is thought by many persons to be the most 

 remarkable and beautiful hill in all northwestern Iowa. It lies within a 

 region of varied topographic features, including lakes, ponds and marshes, 

 level prairies with fine farms, and precipitous hills, some of which are in 

 groups with no distinctive arrangement, while others, perhaps best illus- 

 trated by Ocheyedan mound, are isolated and rise somewhat abruptly 

 above their level surroundings. 



The mound is about one and one-third miles southeast of the town of 

 Ocheyedan, in Osceola county, its summit is about one hundred and seventy 

 feet above the flood plain of Ocheyedan river, which is a short distance to 

 the west of the mound. It is, moreover, on'e of the high (points in Iowa, 

 its elevation being about 1,670 feet above sea level. The general trend of 



