By Eric Harrold
At its regular meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 13, the O’Brien County Conservation Board authorized acceptance of an Iowa DNR-Water Recreation Access Costshare Program grant award to fund a new boat dock for Dog Creek Park.
The new ramp, which will be acquired from VW Docks in Spirit Lake, will replace the old ramp at the site, which has deteriorated significantly.
“The old ramp is dilapidated and lived out its life span,” said Mark Wilson, O’Brien County Conservation director.
The new L-shaped dock will span 40 feet in total length, consisting of an eight-foot ramp leading down to a 32-foot dock. The entirety of the structure is six foot wide.
New signage proposed
Director Mark Wilson brought before the Board a proposal to replace the PHC entry sign and those at other parks with new ones that offer the same aesthetic for all O’Brien County parks. Wilson said what he had in mind was similar in design to that of U.S. Forest Service signs.
The new signage would help folks navigate to each park and designate specific amenities such as campgrounds.
Wilson’s proposal is an alternative to attempting to maintain old signs made out of wood that are difficult to refurbish. Exposure to the elements has led to significant deterioration on many existing signs that would be replaced.
Wilson agreed to provide the board with cost estimates for the new signage from multiple vendors. No further action was taken.