DNR re-opens some closed areas in parks

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is re-opening 11 of the 55 areas within state parks that were closed over budget concerns. D-N-R spokesman Ross Harrison says they made the move after crunching the budget numbers again.Harrison says the areas that’re are being re-opened will see minimal or no maintenance. He says the D-N-R will continue to look at its plans to deal with the 500-thousand dollar budget cut.Harrison says you’ll be able to tell the parks where maintenance is cut back. They’ll have a “scruffier” appearance as the D-N-R cut back its summer staff by about 80 people. Those people usually do the mowing and cleanup at parks. Harrison is asking visitors to state parks to do all they can to help out.The re-opened areas include: Ely’s Ford at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Van Buren County, Dakota Valley at Stone State Park near Sioux City, the shelter at Rice Lake in Winnebago County, the road from M47 to the beach at Prairie Rose State Park in Shelby County, the picnic area on the east side of the lake at Green Valley in Union County, the picnic area at Ahquabi State Park in Warren County, the road to the beach at Rock Creek State Park in Jasper County, Williams Drive at Big Creek State Recreation Area north of Des Moines, east side entrance road at Lewis and Clark State Park in Monona County, the Hogsback and Horseshoe picnic areas at Pine Lake State Park in Hardin County, and the Van Velkinburg prairie area at Palisades-Kepler State Park in Linn County.