COVID_19 Response in IA State Forests as of 3/27/20

 

Update received today-3/27/20: REVISED AT NOON:::::
Forest not closed to public but Bring your own porta-potties!!

"Due to Covid19, ALL pit toilets throughout Shimek Forest are temporarily closed. All toilet facilities at all state parks and forests are now closed. Please check these sites frequently for the latest closures, postponements and updates:
https://www.iowadnr.gov/events

https://www.iowadnr.gov/Pla…/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures

 Thank you for your patience and flexibility. We appreciate your support as we all work together to keep each other safe."

Patrick Thomas, DNR Technician at Shimek
 

Friends Update on Campgrounds

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.

 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/events https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures
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

Friends Annual Dinner Gathering 2020

The Friends of Shimek's annual banquet was loaded with interesting information and updates.  Forester John Byrd had a lot of information about the logging operation currently being done in the Lick Creek Unit.



Update from Forester John Byrd on What is Happening in Shimek Forest....... Let's see what was or is going on in the forest!

Spring is getting closer and that means more people will be out and about in the forest. As of March 5th, the DNR Shimek Forest crew had cleared down trees from the over 6 miles of the Lick Creek Wet Weather Trail System. We are still having some very windy days, though, so please use caution when riding or hiking. We'll be clearing any down trees as they are found throughout the year.

At the Friends Volunteer Recognition Dinner on March 7th , I reported on other Lick Creek Projects that the DNR Shimek Forest crew Ben Hassman, Heath Fraise, Eric Martin and I have been hard at work on this past year. That included the following:
* A new 0.6 mile of trail in the forest was constructed by our crew to tie together two sections of the Wet Weather Trail so that riders could stay off the highway right -of-way, making for a much safer ride.
*Erosion problems in the Wet Weather Trails caused by heavy rains of the previous winter were all corrected by the crew . Both projects used rock funded by the Lee County Charitable Fund and the Friends of Shimek.
*We are now re-rocking the entire Wet Weather Trail thanks to a grant from The William M and Donna J Hoaglin Foundation. That will be completed later this year.
In addition to those trail projects, forest management practices have kept us busy all winter. Our major forest management unit was the Keosauqua Unit. It is unique in that it borders both Lacey-Keosauqua State Park and Lake Sugema Wildlife Management Area which is all managed by the Iowa DNR. We have also had a couple of forest management projects in the Lick Creek Unit. A contractor cut understory trees out of a few areas that you will see as you ride trails. There was also a clear cut timber harvest along a trail section. This timber harvest is an exciting time in forest management. It is a regeneration clear cut harvest. The overstory trees were removed in order to let the oak currently regenerating start to capture the site. Young oak seedlings will not grow and thrive in dense shade. Pre harvest inventory indicated 2,000-7,000 oak seedlings per acre! This will ensure that our next generation of Iowans will be able to enjoy oak on this site.

Kathy

Editor

 







Friends of Shimek Annual Dinner 2020

 

Friends of Shimek (FOS) holds an annual dinner in honor of the previous years hard-working Volunteers. The dinner honoring the 2019 Volunteers will be held at Little Mexico in Mt. Pleasant in their upstairs banquet room on Saturday, March 7 at 5pm. The attendees last year are pictured above, just before dinner. Please RSVP to FOShimek@gmail.com by March 4th, with meal choices and names of persons attending.

Menu choices for this event include:

The dinner choices are Shrimp Enchilada or Salmon and Vegetables or Chicken Fajitas or Steak Fajitas. The meals are all $13. each. Please RSVP by Wed Mar 4th. This helps the restaurant serve a big group more promptly as teh orders are placed in advance with the restaurant. You may order off the menu for a vegetarian choice or other choice. The price does not include a drink, tax or tip. Please be generous in your tips as we are not charged to rent the room for this large party.

The program will include introduction of the 2020 Board of Directors, a report on activities accomplished in 2019, comments by Forester John Byrd re 2020 Plans at Shimek, the Bennett Volunteer of the Year Award and Awards for all 2019 Volunteers. Tom Basten, Area Parks Supervisor, will update us on the state plans for Parks and Forests this year.
Plan to join us for an evening of good fun, conversation and recognition of our Volunteers.

Kathy

Editor



Calendar Events for 2020 - Save the dates

Friends of Shimek have been busy planning events for 2020. 

 

We are always welcome anyone that has time or wants to participate in any of these events.  Come join the crew, bring a friend or make a new one.  We look forward to seeing you at one or all of the scheduled events.

 

Friends of Shimek 2020 Calendar

March 7th        FOS Annual Dinner at 5pm at Little Mexico, Mt. Pleasant, IA

                          Menu and contact information will be available in the near future.

 

May 19th           Group Work Day, Lower campground;

                          8:00 AM with John Byrd, Coordinator.

 

July 8th           Group Work Day, Lower Campground;

                         8:00AM Ringo Covert, Coordinator

 

Sep. 26th          Volunteer Work Afternoon followed by Potluck Event

                          1 PM Lower campground Patrick Thomas Coordinator

                          5 PM FOS Social Gathering and  Potluck Dinner; 

                          Bonnie Moothart, Coordinator

 

Oct.6th             Forest Field Day 8:30AM Shimek TBD

                         State sponsored Educational Program -John Byrd, Organizer

 

Jan. 1, 2021      First Day Hike  10 AM - more to follow closer to the date.

For full details, closer to the dates, see

 

http://friendsofshimek.blogspot.com/p/activities-at-shimek.html

 

or check

 

 https://www.facebook.com/FOShimek/ where events will be added for each.

 

Send an e-mail address to FOShimek@gmail.com to be added to the e-mail list to receive e-mail updates. No fees. 

 

May the trails you trod be blessed.

 

Kathy

 

Editor

Dirt Trails Closed 12/24/19

Shimek Dirt Trails Are Closed:

Monitor status at:

Iowa DNR Status/Closure site
https://www.iowadnr.gov/Pla…/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures
or Call DNR Shimek office phone 319-878-3811 for trail status message.

First Day Hike 2020 Planned at Black Oak Lake in Shimek Forest

Join DNR Technician Patrick Thomas at Black Oak Lake on January 1 for a moderate 1-mile hike. We will walk around the lake to view wildlife; an additional 2-mile hike option will be available. Dress for the weather.
Cancellation Information: Call 319-931-7805 if inclement weather or questions.

Black Oak Lake is located about 1 mile north of Farmington. Take J56 (also called Pearl St.) north out of town for about 1 mile.  See the green line on the map below.  The yellow lines are hiking trails.

 Look for the small Black Oak Lake sign on the East side just past the DNR Headquarters

Drive about 0.6 miles on the good gravel road through pines and hardwood to the parking area by the lake.

There is a lovely small picnic area with tables and a unisex toilet facility.

 Just below the parking area is the ADA accessible ramp down to the lake and dock.

 Taking the trail to the left of the lake and up a small rise, one comes to the first of several bridges you will cross.  You'll need to come hike with us to see the rest of the trail and the birds and wildlife that reside in the area.

Here's the other end of the trail at the far end of the damn that forms the lake..

There is lots to see and weather permitting, we will see it all on January 1st.  Come join us at 10:00AM

Note: All photos were made on 12/12/2019. 

The science of what damage can be done when riding on muddy trails

This article explains the impact riding, hiking, or biking can have when trails are used in wet and muddy conditions.  It is a very informative article shared by the Kansas Chapter.  The same damage would apply to the trails we enjoy in Shimek State Forest.

Article is
Courtesy of
Denise S

Erin Glassman‎ to Back Country Horsemen of America Kansas Chapter

December 1 at 10:56 AM

Hi guys, this is your current BCHK State chapter President, Erin Glassman and soon to be Trails Chair for Kansas Horse Council. I had seen a post about a very serious threat to access for us horseback trail enthusiasts earlier on Facebook today and thought this would be a great time to start making some posts about trail issues.

The post in question talked about some horseback riders getting on muddy trails on one of the rail trails.

There is a science and thought process going into the construction of the trails we get to ride in Kansas; here I'm going to talk a little bit about the impact we create on trail surface with various soil types.

According to Gene Wood in "Recreational Horse Trails in Rural and Wildland Areas: Design Construction and Maintenance", there are four basic soil properties that we can be aware of (p 5,6). These are texture, drainage, structure and bulk density; I'll not go into incredible detail here, but these details help us to determine how much impact we as trail-users have in particular areas.

There are three primary soil particle types that we deal with when it comes to texture. These include sand, silt, and clay.

Sandy trails tend to drain well and not hold mud; they can stand up to almost any kind of traffic in any weather. However, they erode very quickly on slopes and going off-trail in sandy soil quickly creates new trails where land management agencies may not want new trails to exist.

Silt soil particles are highly erodible and can be very sensitive to trail traffic and water flow, especially after having been wet.

Clay tends to be cohesive to itself and depending on the type of clay may cause slippery trails or mud that binds highly to users tread, whether it be hiking shoes, bike tires or horse hooves.

Beyond the soil types, trails that have been improved with gravel or other materials to harden them tend to cup or rut easily. (Wood, p 92) (This is what has happened on the rail-trails in our state this weekend and why we really must pay attention to where we are riding, particularly if we see that we are doing damage or signs are posted to deter riding when muddy conditions exist).

In Kansas we have a variety of soil types that our trails exist on; no matter what type, riding or hiking on the trails when they are muddy can create damage and more work for trail maintenance workers, whether they be the State Park employees or volunteer groups.

Guys, we do leave damage on muddy trails and it IS hard to negotiate even for horses when it dries up. All trail users should stay off of muddy trails, whether it be horses, bikers or hikers; there's just no question about it. If you have to go out and ride, go on a road and try to help all of us out.

 

Kathy

Editor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fundraiser At River Valley November 9, 2019

 

The fundraiser held at the River Valley Lodge was enjoyed by everyone who attended.  The food was exceptional. The entertainment proved to be very "entertaining." 

 

Friends of Shimek was able to raise over $4100 to help maintain the campground and trails in Shimek Forest.

 

  

Chef Gary Schieffer preparing ribs and chicken to serve for the evening meals. 

Thank you to Gary and Denise Schieffer who prepared and served 80 people with delicious BBQ, cole slaw, mac and cheese and beans. They also provided before dinner appetizers--some crunchy onion rings and cheese balls that were available at the outdoor kitchen.

 

So many wonderful desserts -pies, brownies, and cakes

 



 

The Tubador--Gary McCurdy of Wahington, IA both teaches and entertains.

Comedian Timmy Ink-Watts ..you guessed it--motorcycle humor!

Jewel and Brian McDonald entertaining attendees at the FOS Fundraiser.

 





Shimek Forester John Byrd thanked FOS and Grantors Lee County Charitable Fund and the William M and Donna J Hoaglin Foundation for their support.

 FOS President Ringo Covert missed his introduction--he was hard at work washing up pots and pans and being sure we left the Lodge spick and span.

 

Thank you to Gary and Denise Schieffer who prepared and served 80 people with delicious BBQ, cole slaw, mac and cheese and beans. They also provided before dinner appetizers--some crunchy onion rings and cheese balls that were available at the outdoor kitchen.

 

Thank You to Carolyn & Steve Kokjohn, owners of River Valley, for providing FOS this great venue for the Fundraiser.

 

Thank you to everyone that made this fundraiser a successful event!

 

 

 

 

The William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation, Inc.

The William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation, Inc. awards grant to resurface the Shimek Forest Wet Weather Trails

 

 

The William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation, Inc. of Mt. Pleasant has awarded a $10,000 grant to Friends of Shimek (FOS) to be used to resurface the existing Wet Weather Trails in the Lick Creek Unit of Shimek Forest. 

According to Ringo Covert, President of Friends of Shimek, the William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation has been instrumental in developi...ng the Wet Weather Trails. The Foundation provided the first grant in 2012 to begin the Wet Weather Trail system (WWT). They made an additional grant a couple of years later that expanded the Wet Weather Trails to over 6 miles. These grants have made the vision of Forester John Byrd a reality—a vision to have firm trails that can be ridden in wetter weather to assure that all 25 plus miles of trails in the Lick Creek Unit are protected from damage. This concept has radically affected the usage and condition of the trails at Shimek Forest. Now, in only the very wettest weather –such as the spring thaw—are all trails closed. Instead, what is now 6.5 miles of Wet Weather Trails (mileage excludes roads) are available to ride when weather conditions mean that the dirt trails could be seriously damaged and the likelihood of injury to horses or riders on those trails make them not safe to use. The Wet Weather Trails provide a wide, rocked surface that is firm and sustainable.

This grant funds Phase 2 of a plan to resurface the entire Wet Weather Trail System. The first part was to correct damage from the past winter, which was funded by a grant from the Lee County Charitable Fund and has been completed. This grant from the William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation is now being used to purchase rock to resurface all areas of the WWT to reduce damage in the near future. It will be matched by $3,000 from FOS using funds raised through events such as the November 9th Fund Raiser. Forester John Byrd has committed the Shimek DNR crew and equipment to resurface the trails with rock. By the very nature of the trails—ridden regularly in all condition--- the maintenance of the trails will be an on-going issue but this complete re-rocking will improve all surfaces, requiring only annual upgrades for the foreseeable future.
The project is already underway. The photos show the work being done to improve both surface appearance and durability by adding and packing the rock on the trails and one of the recently re-rocked trails being ridden. Work will complete next spring to have the trails in the best condition for spring riding.