DNR fails to ask for additional state funding despite millions needed in repairs and upgrades

Hunter
03/18/24

A recent Iowa Department of Natural Resources infrastructure report shows that Iowa’s 69 state parks and four forests are in need of about $100 million in various upgrades and repairs.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that despite the needed repairs, DNR Director Kayla Lyon did not ask the Iowa Legislature this year for any additional funding.

David Downing is a recently-retired DNR executive officer and parks assessment manager. He prepared a presentation to district staff that the Gazette was able to obtain through an open records request. Among its findings were that most of the parks have restrooms, shelters and cabins that aren’t handicapped accessible. It also found that roofs need to be fixed, sewer lagoons replaced, and new sidewalks poured.

Downing told the Gazette that the DNR is in “dire straits,” but “everybody is afraid to talk.”

According to the DNR, they have nearly completed a review of handicapped accessibility at the state parks but declined to give the Gazette access to those reviews, citing confidential attorney work product.

Locally, the report showed Lake Macbride has two shelters with rotten support beams and has unpainted wood structures being damaged by carpenter bees.

The parks are enjoyed by nearly 16 million people per year.