Adequately fund Iowa’s state parks

This voter is angry about the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ plan to oust rangers from their park homes and the unconscionable failure of our Legislature over time to fund repair of historic park lodges.

Rangers not on-site 24 hours means less safety regarding drowning, tornadoes, visitor-disputes etc. Response times will be longer.

The lodges, if kept up, would be state moneymakers, preserve history and architecture, and exponentially enhance park use and experiences. Ousting rangers to save money is the last penny-pinching straw and opposite of what’s needed.

HF 2255 suggests allocating $20 million for repairing Iowa parks infrastructure using dollars from the federal American Rescue Plan. This is a brilliant way to spend some of Iowa’s share.

Palisades Kepler State Park near Cedar Rapids, has a gorgeous old lodge likely built in the 1930s. Admittedly it would cost much to update because the state has spent no money on upkeep. It could be used for wedding receptions and other Iowans' family and corporate events. The Linn County Conservation Board built two lodges in Wanatee Park back in about 2002. I believe both have already achieved payback as regards initial construction costs.

Call your legislators now and tell them fund state parks.

Linda Svoboda

Cedar Rapids