Jefferson County Conservation plans changes to Round Prairie Park

FAIRFIELD — The Jefferson County Conservation Board has announced a plan to change Round Prairie Park in light of its declining use.

Jefferson County Conservation Board Director Shawn Morrissey said Round Prairie Park, in the southeast corner of the county, is not used as much as the county’s other parks. As the county has made improvements to Jefferson County Park and Mac Coon Access, those parks have generated steady revenue for the conservation board, while Round Prairie Park has not.

In fact, Morrissey said last year saw record revenue from Jefferson County Park thanks to camping fees that totaled about $31,000. Mac Coon Access, located north of Lockridge on the Skunk River, generates about $7,000-$8,000. Round Prairie Park, meanwhile, generates closer to $1,000-$1,500. Morrissey said it costs more to mow Round Prairie Park than the county receives in revenue.

“Years ago, it was a pretty popular park before we had all these other parks and trails,” Morrissey said of Round Prairie Park. “But it’s become a forgotten spot. It’s quite a ways from any population center, and it’s hard to watch over. It’s a money pit for us, and we’ve got to put our budget to the best use we can.”

Amenities at Round Prairie Park include a campground with electric hookups and rural water, a shelter and a pit toilet. Due to declining use of the park, the conservation board plans to relocate the electric boxes from Round Prairie to Mac Coon Access, remove the outdated playground, and reduce mowing of the area around the shelter, pit toilet, campground and shoulder of the road. Primitive camping will be allowed with registration required and a 14-day limit.

After those initial changes are complete, the conservation board plans a second phase of changes. Prairie will be seeded to the newly unmown areas, and remnants will be maintained through burning and tree and brush removal. The shelter and pit toilet will be demolished, and the area will continue to be managed as a wildlife/public hunting area with an emphasis on preserving native prairie elements.

Morrissey said none of these changes are planned for this year, and that they will begin in the fall of 2023. The conservation board is publishing this plan early to get public feedback. He said if there is a large outcry from the public against these changes, the board would reconsider.

Those who have questions about the proposed changes can call Jefferson County Conservation at 641-472-4421.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com