Some county park events cancelled due to flooding

By Mary Lou Hinrichsen
Herald Correspondent

June 18, 2008 11:39 am

— ROCK CREEK PARK — The hayrack ride and fish boil scheduled for this Saturday at Rock Creek have been cancelled, as well as the Sunset Eco Cruise scheduled for Thursday because of high water.
It is hoped the Sunset Cruise can be held on the Blue Heron pontoon boat as scheduled June 29, according to Mark Roberts, education coordinator for the Clinton County Conservation Board.
The naturalist-guided cruises will then be held every Thursday through October. Cruisers, who will board the pontoon boat at Rock Creek Marina, will learn about wildlife, commercial use, navigation and recreational use of the Mississippi River.
Rock Creek can be found by traveling four miles southwest of Camanche or one mile northeast of Folletts and following the signs to 291st Street.
Cost of the cruise is $6 for adults, $4 for children under 16 and free for children under age 5. Reservations may be made by calling 259-1876 or (563) 847-7202.
Still scheduled for Saturday are:
• Frog and turtle races at 10 a.m. at Eden Valley Refuge. Participants may bring their own or borrow turtles and frogs. Sign up will be in the nature center. There will be refreshments and prizes. Call (563) 847-7202.
• The Nature Center at Eden Valley Refuge will be open 1 to 4 p.m. with volunteer hosts. The center features live local reptiles, rocks and minerals, Iowa habitats and artifacts.
Eden Valley is located three miles west of Lost Nation on Iowa 136, then north five miles following signs.
• Kids’ fishing tournament at Malone Park from 9 a.m. until noon. Kids ages 12 and under are invited to test their angling skills. Sunfish are thick in the 10-acre take, according to Roberts, with bass, bullheads and catfish in good numbers.
Plaques will be awarded for the greatest weight of fish in two age groups, 10 to 12 and 9 and younger. There also will be door prizes for all. Registration starts at 9 a.m. with fishing from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Weigh-in and casting contest will follow. Lake Malone is located five miles east of DeWitt, just south of U.S. 30.
• Volunteer work day at Soaring Eagle Nature Center will begin at 9 a.m. The center is located on the south edge of Eagle Point Park, Clinton. Volunteers should call (563) 357-0759 to register.