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Wiegert Prairie Farmstead
Home to the Wiegert family for
over a century, the farmstead stands today as a living museum
and classroom. Adjoining the farmstead is Wiegert Prairie. Along
with nearby Kalsow Prairie, they hold two of the largest tracts of
virgin black soil prairie in Iowa. Annual School Days and Fall
Fests celebrate our family and farming heritage.
Meredith Park
Meredith Park, a/k/a Plover Pit, is a popular
place for fishing, swimming, picnicking, and camping. Special
features include an excellent 5 l/2 acre natural lake with modern
shower house, modern playground, and sleeping cabin added in
2007.
Rosenberger Park
Whether you live in the area or are passing
through, this park is a quiet place to rest and picnic and features
an open shelter, restrooms, playground, and butterfly garden.
Come visit the Nature Center at PCCB’s office next door.
West Fork of the Des Moines River
Cutting through the
NE corner of the county, this river is ideal for canoeing and
fishing. Access is available at Hams Bridge.
Little Clear Lake
This natural glacial lake features a quiet
park on its west side with two picnic shelters and a playground.
Little Clear is also home to West Roadside Park, a small picnic
area with an open shelter and wildlife posters directly off Hwy. 3.
Three Rivers Trail
This Corridor through Space and Time
follows the old CNW railroad line from Rolfe to Eagle Grove.
No space ship is required – all you need is a good pair of walking
shoes, a sturdy bike, snowshoes, skis, or snowmobile to travel this
corridor rich in American Indian and pioneer history. Named
for the three rivers it crosses, the trail also provides a home and
corridor for wildlife. The westernmost trailhead located on the
SE edge of Rolfe features a new city park & an interpretive sign.
Melson Park
Complete with open picnic shelter, bathroom,
and prairie restoration, Melson Park is located along Three
Rivers Trail. Pilot Rock stands at the park’s entrance, marking
the site of the last Indian-on-Indian battle in Iowa between the
Winnebago and Dakota-Santee Sioux. It is the perfect place to
begin a short walk or ride east to the trail bridge over the west
fork of the Des Moines River.
Lizard Lake
This beautiful lake is presently being restored as a
DNR shallow lake restoration project. Drained in June of 2011,
the lake bed is currently covered with vegetation. Plans call for
the lake to begin refilling in the fall of 2012. From brown to black
to green to blue – Lizard Lake remains a special place with its old
Indian Mounds and new shower house and fishing opportunities.
Swan Lake
Once the county’s largest and most popular lake, in
1913 Swan Lake was drained and farmed. Nearly one hundred
years later, migrating and resident wildlife once again thrive on
the restored wetlands, native prairie, and oak savanna. A new
overlook and handicapped accessible hunting shack may be
reached by a short walk off Potato Farm Road.
Percherons plowing the potato patch at Wiegert Prairie Fall Fest.
Meredith Park sleeping cabin.
Friends hiking along Three Rivers Trail.
Iowa’s County Conservation System
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