Iowa lakefronts are a thing of beauty — if we support state parks enough to maintain them
Observance of the system’s 100th anniversary should include a resolve to bring Iowa parks’ conditions up to Iowa-proud standards.
Grab a map listing America’s national parks, grab a ruler, and check it out: The point on the map that is the furthest distance from any national park is Des Moines, Iowa. That’s why our state parks carry a special importance.
When I was a kid in the 1930s, the family spent a glorious week each summer at West Okoboji Lake, renting a cabin across the lake from Pikes Point State Park. The remarkably clear, tree-lined lake, with a surprising depth of 135 feet, was — and is — the gem of the Iowa landscape. For many years it was reputed to be one of only three blue-water lakes on the globe. (The other two: Lake Geneva in Switzerland and Lake Louise in Canada. In reality, "blue water lake" has no real definition.)
The Depression economy put development of the lakeshore on hold, but our resort accommodations were quite adequate, if a bit primitive. Our cabin kitchen drew its water from the lake. We could afford to rent a rowboat, but not a motor — which was fine with my brothers and I, who daily rowed over to Pikes Point to swim at the perfect beach and slosh down the point’s long, gradual slope until the water finally became chin deep. The majestic Queen, “Flagship of the Iowa Navy,” carried vacationers to the waterfront amusement park at Arnolds Park daily — but would venture as far north as our resort only if promised at least 10 passengers.
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As the economy recovered, demand for Okoboji shoreline soared. In the ‘30s, farmers planted corn right down to the waterline in places; in the’ 90s I called a real estate dealer in Spirit Lake to ask about prices. “Five thousand dollars per shoreline foot,” he said, “but there’s not a shoreline foot on the market.”
A house on Lakeshore Drive, on Okoboji’s east shore, recently sold for $5.7 million; Google lists another at just under $5 million, and an endless list for $1 million and $2 million. But a good share of the most beautiful property on the state’s most beautiful lake belongs to Iowa.
Gull Point State Park, on the west shore, could be as attractive a lakeside spot as one could ask.
Or rather, should be.
Last summer, a mud pond covered the pathway from the Gull Point parking lot to the beach. The pathway’s swim-at-own-risk warning sign lay broken in the mess.
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A tour of The Ledges, the hiking-picnicking forest near Boone, included some outhouses filled to a ghastly level, with paper strewn for a distance. It would appear that too much of the state’s park system is getting too little of the state’s attention.
Ten years ago, Iowa voters gave overwhelming support for a fraction-of-a-penny sales tax hike for water quality and environmental work. The Legislature has yet to act. Polls showing ever-growing support for the plan are an indication of our yen for outdoor recreation. Observance of the system’s 100th anniversary should include a resolve to bring Iowa parks’ conditions up to Iowa-proud standards.
Bill Leonard of Des Moines is a retired Register editorial writer.