Round Prairie Park Change of Use Proposal

JEFFERSON COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD
Public Notice
Round Prairie Park Change of Use Proposal
9/1/2021

The Jefferson County Conservation Board is considering changes in the management of Round Prairie Park for the following reasons…
– Declining use including usage that doesn’t fit the mission of the JCCB.
– Low revenue and increasing expenses.
Round Prairie Park in south east Jefferson County was developed by the Jefferson County Conservation Board in the mid 1970’s. Amenities include a campground with electric hookups and rural water available, a shelter, and a pit toilet. The site also contains large areas of native prairie. It was once a popular spot for area residents to camp and picnic.
In recent years the development of Jefferson County Park and improvements to Mac Coon access have led to a shift and increase of campers to those areas. During the last few years many of south east Iowa’s state and county parks have seen increases in use as well.

Phase 1
The Board will begin to allow the area to be used for Public Hunting beginning in the fall of 2022.
Water and electric will no longer be available after January 1, 2023. The electric boxes will be relocated to improve the west campsites at Mac Coon Access.
The outdated playground will be removed.
Mowing will be reduced to include the shelter, pit toilet, campground, and shoulders of the road. Primitive camping will be allowed with registration required and a 14day limit.
Prairie will be seeded to the newly un-mowed areas and remnants will be maintained through burning, and tree and brush removal.

Phase 2
The following steps will be taken based on the condition of remaining facilities and may be moved up if problems continue.
Demolish Shelter & Pit Toilet.
Abandon Road and Campground.
Maintain Parking areas along Tamarack.
Area will continue to be managed as a wildlife/public hunting area with an emphasis on preserving the native prairie remnants.

If you have questions or concerns about these changes call 641-472-4421.