Update from Shimek DNR Technician Patrick Thomas: Shimek campgrounds 2019 and Current COVID-19 Guidance…….
At the Friends of Shimek Volunteer Recognition dinner held shortly before COVID-19 arrived in Iowa, I spoke of the past years work of DNR staff and FOS as well as activities in the campgrounds.
In summary: We had 1,454 individuals stay in the Shimek campgrounds, which is slightly up from la...st year. They came from 10 states. (Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Wisconsin)
FOS had three workdays scheduled however wet weather only permitted us to get together July 10th. Attending were twenty-one Friends of Shimek volunteers, the DNR full time employees include Ben Hassman, Heath Fraise, Eric Martin and myself, along with our seasonal staff Ross O’Day and Susan Meinhardt. The group was able to clear trails from downed trees, pick up litter, replace a hitching rail, clean fire pits, and paint the insides of all the Lick Creek unit pit toilets and two of the outsides.
The FOS obtained 10 gallons of paint thanks to a Vogel Paint grant through Paint Iowa Beautiful. We will use the paint up this year, finishing painting pit toilets in the other campgrounds and posts.
The hydrant at the Upper Campground was replaced due to damage. The hydrant was bent and finally developed a leak. Following current specs set for DNR, a new Woodford Sanitary Yard Hydrant Model S3 was installed. It is designed for use anywhere potable water is located. The hydrant is completely sealed to prevent surface and ground water from entering reservoir or service line. This hydrant protects users from any contamination entering into the hydrant from above ground or below. An anonoymus donor provided funds to replace the hydrant.
Dan Hull who built the trail and bridge system around Black Oak Lake as an eagle scout project in the late 1980’s shared his experience in that project with me and shared a photo album about that major construction project with the FOS, which is posted on their FB page. I used this information to help prepare for the First Day Hike on Jan. 1, 2020. We hope to meet this summer to discuss more about the trail.
The DNR crew spread rock on all of the camp pads throughout the four campgrounds to level and widen them.
FOS had three workdays scheduled however wet weather only permitted us to get together July 10th. Attending were twenty-one Friends of Shimek volunteers, the DNR full time employees include Ben Hassman, Heath Fraise, Eric Martin and myself, along with our seasonal staff Ross O’Day and Susan Meinhardt. The group was able to clear trails from downed trees, pick up litter, replace a hitching rail, clean fire pits, and paint the insides of all the Lick Creek unit pit toilets and two of the outsides.
The FOS obtained 10 gallons of paint thanks to a Vogel Paint grant through Paint Iowa Beautiful. We will use the paint up this year, finishing painting pit toilets in the other campgrounds and posts.
The hydrant at the Upper Campground was replaced due to damage. The hydrant was bent and finally developed a leak. Following current specs set for DNR, a new Woodford Sanitary Yard Hydrant Model S3 was installed. It is designed for use anywhere potable water is located. The hydrant is completely sealed to prevent surface and ground water from entering reservoir or service line. This hydrant protects users from any contamination entering into the hydrant from above ground or below. An anonoymus donor provided funds to replace the hydrant.
Dan Hull who built the trail and bridge system around Black Oak Lake as an eagle scout project in the late 1980’s shared his experience in that project with me and shared a photo album about that major construction project with the FOS, which is posted on their FB page. I used this information to help prepare for the First Day Hike on Jan. 1, 2020. We hope to meet this summer to discuss more about the trail.
The DNR crew spread rock on all of the camp pads throughout the four campgrounds to level and widen them.
The State DNR office has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with guidance for the operation of all park and forest facilities. This guidance is in accordance with CDC guidelines and state recommendations pertaining to COVID-19.
At this point, Shimek State Forest campgrounds are open as are all Iowa State Parks. Our highest priority is the health and well-being of our visitors, volunteers and employees. During this time, we remain diligent in taking steps to make your visit as safe and enjoyable as possible. We are implementing additional cleaning procedures, according to CDC guidelines, such as more stringent and frequent cleaning of public areas.
Please check these sites frequently for the latest closures, postponements and updates:
https://www.iowadnr.gov/https://www.iowadnr.gov/Thank you for your patience and flexibility. We appreciate your support as we all work together to keep each other safe.
Thank you,
Patrick Thomas
DNR Technician
Published by
Kathy
Editor
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