ARNOLDS PARK, Iowa — The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation announced Friday that the funds have been secured to turn a northwest Iowa park into protected land.

The Arnolds Park Nature Area is a 73-acre property located in Dickinson County, near the town of Arnold Park and the Oars Campground.

The INHF says the push for fundraising came after the land was rezoned for possible storage facilities and RV pads. Working with town and county agencies, the INHF says they have secured $1.9 million to purchase the land to be converted into protected conservation property.

The INHF says the 73-acres of land will be managed by Dickinson County Conservation for water quality, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation purposes.

“INHF knows that the Lakes community values the incredible natural beauty here and will step up to ensure it is protected,” Abby Hade Terpstra, INHF’s Director of Philanthropy shared in a release. “Caring for the water and land is part of what it means to love the Lakes. Chances like this to keep open, natural space in town while impacting water quality for the better are rare. This opportunity is too special to pass up.” 

The INHF says future plans are in place to input a conservation easement on the land to ensure protection. Some early plans for the land include connecting the existing Great Lakes Spine Trail and inputting smaller recreational trails.

INHF partnered with the City of Arnolds Park, Ducks Unlimited and Dickinson County Conservation to raise the necessary funding. The INHF also thanks the hundreds of families that donated to the fundraising goal.