Dump station at Oakland Mills officially opens

MT. PLEASANT — Henry County Conservation has officially opened a new dump station at the Water Works Campground, west of Oakland Mills Park, marking the completion of a long-delayed project that began with the closure of the old station in 2023.

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The Aug. 19 ribbon cutting gave campers and conservation staff a reason to celebrate the return of a service they’d gone more than a year without. Rain may have dampened the ground enough to push the event back from its original Aug. 12 date, but it did little to dampen the excitement.

“Congratulations to the Henry County Conservation Department on the brand-new dump station located on Water Works Drive just west of Oakland Mills Park,” the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce stated.

The station’s closure in May 2023 left campers frustrated and conservation staff struggling with sanitation issues. At the time, Conservation Director Caleb Waters described the situation as “a very long process,” acknowledging the stress the closure placed on both staff and park visitors.

Relief came in late 2024, when the Henry County Board of Supervisors approved $231,470 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to build a replacement facility. The allocation covered septic tanks, a widened driveway, electrical connections, and other infrastructure needs.

With funding secured, construction proceeded in early 2025. By July 14, the station was opened for public use. To help cover costs, camping fees were adjusted: electric sites increased to $25 per night, while primitive sites rose to $15. Reservations made before the change were honored at the old rates.

Beyond convenience, the new dump station brings environmental safeguards. Proper wastewater disposal reduces risks to the Skunk River and surrounding habitat, a key concern for county staff after the old facility’s failure. The site also will be landscaped with native prairie plants, part of the department’s effort to combine infrastructure upgrades with conservation principles.

For campers and RV travelers, the project eliminates a major inconvenience. For Henry County leaders, it represents an investment in recreation and tourism. Oakland Mills is one of the county’s most visited parks, and the dump station’s availability makes the site more attractive to long-term campers and traveling RVers.

County officials and conservation board members described the completion as a symbol of progress — both in terms of infrastructure improvements and the county’s ability to navigate delays. The ribbon cutting offered a chance to reflect on the challenges: the closure in 2023, the struggles of conservation staff, and the uncertainty over funding. Yet by the middle of summer 2025, those obstacles had been replaced with a modern facility designed to last for years to come.

For Henry County Conservation, the dump station stands as more than just a utility. It is a sign of persistence, community investment, and the kind of progress that supports both local residents and visitors alike.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com