Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic the Washington County Conservation Board (WCCB), despite fewer programs and attendance, had a productive year for fiscal 2020-21. In fact, as reported by Executive Director Zach Rozmus, it “was as busy as ever.” He provided details in the annual report to the Washington County Board of Supervisors.

Although formal environmental education programs went from186 in 2019-20 to 140 for fiscal 2020-21 and attendance by school children went from 3,583 last year to 2,831 this year, a silver lining is that “our trails and recreation areas are experiencing more traffic than ever before,” said Rozmus.  

The uptick in use reflects the growth of recreational assets throughout the county that include updates to the Kewash Nature Trail, recreational areas in Kalona’s Southtown Development, and the new YMCA in Washington. The Archery Camp Program, a new addition, also did very well.

“The pandemic continues to validate the idea that access to differing forms of recreation are a necessity and priority for this community,” said Rozmus. 

As a result, he reported “it will be paramount that the WCCB continue to build on and utilize local momentum” to enhance the county’s recreational facilities. 

Part of that is the Phase 2 enhancements of the Kewash Nature Trail, with the WCCB planning fewer projects for this fiscal year in order to have funds for its capital projects account. One of them involved the Marr Park campground that, this spring, saw a 50-amp electrical service installed at the original 41 site camping area, a major update from the previous 30-amp service.

For campers it names a service that can run all the modern amenities campers and their RVs now have.

At the time of the original campground development, Rozmus explained that no one predicted campers would come with microwave, refrigerators, stoves, air conditioning, hot water heaters and TVs, all in simultaneous use. The 50-amp service can handle this usage.

The more visible of improvements is the park’s new native landscaping around the septic access points, done with the purpose of keeping the access areas free of debris and “hiding them in plain sight” surrounded by blooming native flowers.

It is “a great facelift for the front entry of the campground,” noted Rozmus.

To date, the park’s Conservation Education Center has had a total of 4,888 visitors with single largest number, 1,111, in June.  The figures include drop-ins, program attendees and rentals.