Friends of Geode hold first group planning meeting

Sunday, February 4 at 2 p.m., Friends of Geode President called the first group meeting to order. The discussion centered around activities for the year. Plans for the Geode Challenge Race were discussed. It is scheduled for Oct. 19, 2024. Included in the discussion was the need for a website for Friends of Geode and how it could be integrated with online registration for the race. Finding someone to manage and maintain the web site is a high priority. Family discounts and reduced entrance fees for young runners were also discussed.

Second on the agency was the return of the Yak Attack. The work on the parking lot is complete. A committee is being formed to help plan the event. The date is set for June 22. A kayak launching site is planned in front of the concession stand. The details for its installation are still in progress.

The scavenger hunt was very popular, and it is on the list for an activity. Some sort of activity for younger kids at the beach was also mentioned. A meeting of volunteers for the committee will be scheduled soon. A Fun Day has been scheduled for September 29. Plans are underway. A Frisbee disk tournament was discussed as well.

Standing committee projects were next on the agenda. Tyler reported on the firewood and tree planting projects. RAGBRAI will cross southern Iowa this year. FOG is on alert as to the route and if they ride through Geode, plans will be made to accommodate riders. A Halloween event is tabled for now. September and October are already scheduled with FOG events.

Special guest Ron Moore, DNR District Officer was present along with Ulf and Drew, Geode Park rangers. Discussion shifted to the Concession Stand restoration. Officer Moore was able to help with many aspects of DNR expectations and rule changes for all the activities. He assured the group that all of the paperwork had been filed so that work could progress. He also mentioned inspections that would occur after the work was completed so that all was in compliance. He was able to clarify many rules and give helpful hints to make sure applications to do activities would be approved. He is very supportive of the efforts of the Friends of Geode and is doing everything he can to help. Officer Moore also visited with the group about changes in rental rates at the state parks and other changes that may occur in the enforcement structure within the DNR. He updated the group on specific plans for Geode State park. A Shimek Forester is helping with the plans for forest restoration at Geode and there are plans for the restoration of shelters and upgrading of handicap access throughout the park. FOG looks forward to helping with these efforts.

In conclusion, the large projects – running potable water to the concessions stand and complete renovation of the electrical work in the concession stand - were reviewed. Friends of Geode is looking for a person to help in grant writing for these expensive projects.

May 5 will be the next group meeting. Election of secretary and treasurer are on the agenda for this meeting. The date of the committee meeting for the Yak Attack will be announced soon.