Ventura Cove Enhancement Project
Thanks to outstanding public and private support, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation has helped the Iowa Department of Natural Resources secure two public lakeshore sites - with a natural woodland to explore, a safer place to fish and walk and bike, a comfortable place to picnic and play - in a combined project we've been calling the Ventura Cove Enhancement Project. This includes one of the last expanses of natural shoreline on Clear Lake!
These project objectives have now been achieved:
- Purchase and protect the Ventura Cove Woods as a natural area. The landowners agreed to sell this woodland at just two-thirds of its appraised value so that it could become a public natural area. A loan secured by generous Clear Lake families--and later fundraising success--made this possible.
- Link local trails - Cerro Gordo County Trails, Inc., will be able to bring its proposed trail across these properties as they work toward a trail encircling the lake. This will add a beautiful woodland segment to the trail plus better access to the fishing jetty.
- Create a landscaped green space on the northern site, with a beautiful view for all of us to enjoy. A public restroom, shelter, informational kiosk, removable dock, and lake access will make it espescially attractive.
- Add a 16-space parking area, allowing anglers and others safer passage along the Ventura Grade. A storm water retention and sediment pond and an underground filter basin will help protect water quality by controlling runoff from the parking lot and adjacent land.
Both sites are now owned by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and will be managed for public enjoyment.
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This art print of Lone Tree Point is one of the benefits for project donations.
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2008
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
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