http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-924184.mp3
Danville, IA – The public beach along Lake Geode looks a lot different. That's because a new multi-purpose shelter hours and children's playground were added to the state park.
Tom Basten is District Supervisors for Iowa State Parks.
Basten says the new facility has a kitchen area, a working shower, and oversized bathrooms so people can change into or out of a swimsuit. He says the site previously had portable restrooms and no children's playground.
Basten is confident that the shelter house will attract more people to Geode State Park.
"I think not having bathrooms down here, other than rental porta-potties, has been a deterent," says Basten. "But now we are seeing an increase in people coming back to this area.
"We are seeing groups of sometimes 200 just to use the shelter and of course, the kids are on the beach and the playground. It's just been a tremendous boost to the area."
Basten says the improvements cost about $400,000. He says they were paid for using the combination of a state grant, public funding, and private contributions.
Meanwhile, a plan to further improve Lake Geode could lead to future enhancements.
Basten says a multi-year watershed improvement project is underway. He says sites are currently being identified for retention pools that would to collect excess sediment that flows into Lake Geode during heavy rain.
"The goal there is to take care of our watershed within the lake property and then work with landowners who also have some areas that they are concerned about."
Basten says reducing the sediment flows should improve water quality. He says that has been an occasional issue at Lake Geode.
Basten hopes the watershed improvement project will encourage the Iowa Legislature to provide additional money for fishing areas and shoreline protection at the state park.
You can hear more with Iowa State Parks District Supervisor Tom Basten by clicking the audio link above.