Closed dump station may create unhappy campers

Oakland Mills — Following an update about issues with the South-Shore shower house, Henry County Conservation Department and Henry County Conservation Board announced to all park users that they will need to close shower house and dump station until further notice.

“We are having major issues with our sanitation system at South Shore,” Conservation Director Caleb Waters said during an update with the Henry County Board of Supervisors, Thursday. “It's to the point where something is going to have to be done.”

While Waters has worked with crews for the past two months attempting to resolve the issue, they have not found a solution.

“I hate to be a bear of bad news, but I have been dealing with this,” Waters said. “This has been a very long process. I've had a lot on my plate working long days and I'm getting very frustrated.”

“Our dump station budget shows that we've got a lot of other issues, electrical issues, which we've had an electrician come out,” he said. “We're trying to address that as things occur, but it just seems like we're taking two steps forward and 15 back.”

He informed the Board of Supervisors that he would likely reach out to them for possible American Rescuer Plan Act (ARPA) funds as a means to fix the situation.

Waters said the issue needed addressed as soon as possible as closing the facilities will likely create many unhappy campers.

According to a news release from the conservation department, “due to the unforeseen circumstance, park users are encouraged to use the “Top of Hill” shower house and bathroom or the restroom at the Virden Disk Golf area.”

According to the conservation department, county officials are looking at ways to resolve the issue.

The Conservation Department and Board apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and offered the following list of alternative dump stations in the meantime:

Dump Stations Throughout Surrounding Area:

Geode State Park — 3333 Racine Ave, Danville, IA 52623

Crossroads RV Park — 708 S. Iris Street Mt. Pleasant, Iowa 52641

Lake Darling State Park — 111 Lake Darling Road. Brighton, Iowa 52540

Lacey-Keosauqua State Park — 22895 Lacey Trail. Keosauqua, IA 52565

Big Hollow Campground — 18853 152nd Ave. Sperry, IA 52650

Mac Coon Access — 3293 Macoon Road. Lockridge, IA 52635

Jefferson County Park — 2003 Libertyville Road. Fairfield, IA 52556

Welter Recreation Area -16839 Skunk River Road. Wever, IA 52658

Marr Park — 2943 Highway 92. Ainsworth, IA

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com