10/29/2025
A huge win for our community and lake!
Last spring, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation secured an option to purchase a 73-acre greenspace on the edge of Arnolds Park. Open space in a community facing development pressure is rare, and its permanent protection and restoration would hold many benefits for residents and visitors: improved water quality and flood reduction; enhanced wildlife habitat and scenic value; expanded opportunities for safe biking and hiking; increased quality of life. INHF worked with the City of Arnolds Park and Dickinson County Conservation to create the vision of a city-owned space, open to the public, managed with water, wildlife and people in mind. The purchase price necessitated a joint fundraising campaign with Iowa Ducks Unlimited — $1.9 million by October 31 in order to exercise the option and create a new park.
A mere five months later, we are thrilled to share that the goal has been reached, and the Arnolds Park Nature Area can officially be protected forever.
What happens next?! INHF's board voted to exercise the option and purchase the land. INHF will place a conservation easement on the property before transferring it to the City of Arnolds Park, adding a second layer of protection and guaranteeing that this area will never be at risk again. The area will become open to the public sometime next year, following the restoration of the prairie and wetlands and installation of soft surface trails, a small parking lot, and other amenities that preserve open space.
Projects like this are only possible because of Iowans like YOU. Iowans who value parks, trails and wildlife areas; Iowans who share with their friends, family, neighbors and coworkers why we should protect these spaces; Iowans willing to step up to safeguard what we have left. Thank you, today and everyday, for enabling us to do what we do.
