Arnolds Park Nature Area

Arnolds Park in Dickinson County could easily be described as bustling, despite having fewer than 2,000 residents. Every summer, tourists flock to the area to enjoy fishing, boating, concerts, nightclubs, and living the lake life. Houses, condos, amenities and infrastructure are packed in like sardines, all vying for the last bits of developable land. The City of Five Lakes is bursting at the seams. 

On the edge of town near Oars Campground lies 73 acres of rare open space in a community facing development pressure. The site was recently rezoned, opening the door for potential uses like storage facilities and RV pads. But Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is working with the City of Arnolds Park and Dickinson County Conservation to realize a vision of a city-owned park — open to everyone — with management and restoration overseen by Dickinson County Conservation. 

It’s a unique opportunity to meet a slew of community needs. Roughly 240 acres drain through the property into Lower Gar and Milford Creek — what happens on this land has a direct impact on water quality. Permanently protecting the land and restoring the historic prairies and wetlands will offer important habitat for Iowa wildlife while filtering and slowing water before it enters the lakes. And this urban interface is a key location for a possible trail connection and trailhead for the Spine Trail, providing a safe off-road alternative for cyclists and walkers currently using the narrow, steep shoulder along 240th Avenue. 

“Green space in Arnolds Park is becoming more and more precious,” explains Linda Nase, city clerk and zoning administrator for the City of Arnolds Park. “Over the past 20 years or so, more than 1,000 dwellings have been added, and this area is slated for another 200 unless we can protect it. Development here would create additional run-off issues and exacerbate existing flooding concerns, and add pressure to water and sewer facilities, streets and trails.”

The city’s concept plan prioritizes a light footprint and easy access to nature, featuring a small parking lot, shade shelter and mowed walking trail — creating outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors alike. 

 “INHF knows that the Lakes community values the incredible natural beauty here and will step up to ensure it is protected,” says Abby Hade Terpstra, INHF’s Director of Philanthropy. “Caring for the water and land is part of what it means to love the Lakes. Chances like this to keep open, natural space in town while impacting water quality for the better are rare. This opportunity is too special to pass up.” 

Arnolds Park and the rest of the Iowa Great Lakes area lies within Iowa’s prairie pothole region, marked by thousands of shallow wetlands, offering prime stopover habitat for migrating waterfowl and more secure, quiet nesting sites than what the larger lakes can provide. This location’s wetland restoration potential brought another fundraising partner to the table, Ducks Unlimited (DU), who saw how this project would benefit waterfowl by providing additional habitat and a secure place to rest and refuel.

“Protection and restoration of this site will provide a safe nesting place for diverse species such as Bobolinks, Virginia Rails and Trumpeter Swans,” explains Mike Shannon, Iowa DU’s Senior Regional Biologist. “The marshes and tallgrass prairie [at the neighboring Spring Run Complex] provide habitat for over 160 species of birds during breeding and migration periods, and this would be a significant addition. The partnership between INHF, DU, the City of Arnolds Park and Dickinson County Conservation Board will ensure that this tract is protected and professionally managed for wildlife and accessible for people who enjoy this abundant natural resource.”

INHF and DU need to raise $1.9 million by October 31, 2025, to exercise a secured option to purchase the property. It’s a tall order, but the stacked benefits are clear: creating a new park; protecting water quality and reducing flooding; restoring native prairies and wetlands; improving safety and quality of life; expanding biking and hiking options. 

The project allows each of the four partner organizations to do what they do best — INHF can protect the land, DU can design habitat, Dickinson County Conservation can restore and maintain the space, and the City of Arnolds Park can manage the area as a public use space.