STORY COUNTY, Iowa — The Story County Water and Land Legacy is a measure on the ballot for Story County voters on November 5. The measure would raise $25 million dollars to be used for a list of possible conservation improvement projects. The assessed cost to an average Story County home would be $32 per year.
“This includes projects at Hickory Grove Park and projects throughout Story County and it creates a sustainable source of funding so that these projects can get done in the next five to eight years,” said Kori Heuss, Co-Chair of the Story County Water and Land Legacy. “Bond money is matched with grant money and private donations.”
Heuss said each project would have to go through the Story County Conservation Board for approval. The list of projects includes a learning center for McFarland Park, restrooms for the Ted Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor on the south edge of Ames, and a rental cabin at Dakins Lake campground. Hickory Grove Park near Colo would also see measures addressing accessibility and water quality.
The measure would also look at bike trails. One would be a more direct route to the High Trestle Trail, and not on Highway R-38 to Slater, which is how riders join the trail now.
“I am the most excited about connecting McFarland Park to Ames with a bike path,” said Heuss. “This includes several bike paths, one, an alternative so that people can get out of Story County to the High Trestle Trail as opposed to riding along R-38.”
There are also projects which focus on the Skunk River.
“It includes water trail improvements, so that is a multi pronged preservation recreation project where it mitigates flooding in the area, it restores oxbow on the river,” said Heuss. “It shows in Iowa, really, that quality of life initiatives help people who work here have a good valuable place to engage with each other.”
Huess is an Ames business owner, and she says this is a quality of life issue.
“The parks are more and more used, in fact our numbers for people in Story County parks are an all-time high,” said Heuss. “Being able to meet the demands for that outdoor recreation and allow people to live and play here in the community where they’ve chosen to spend their time and raise their families is important.”
The Story County Water and Land Legacy is holding meetings to explain the proposal. So far there is no organized opposition to this tax measure. The vote requires a 60% super majority to pass.
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