FRIENDS OF LAKE DARLING

Lake Darling is one of Iowa's '20 Artists, 20 parks' to Commemorate State Park Centennial

7/16/2019

Lake Darling is happy to welcome back Iowa Woodturning Artist, Rob Wallace as a part of the 100th Anniversary celebration of State Parks through "20 Artists, 20 Parks." You won't want to miss this event! Learn more on the DNR's website found here on this blog: Iowa Launches ‘20 Artists, 20 Parks’ to Commemorate State Park Centennial

2019 Boat House Rental Prices

5/28/2019

The Lake Darling Boathouse Rental Pricing is as follows for the 2019 season:

	4 Hours	Hourly Rate	Daily Max
Paddleboats
One Seat	$8.00	$24.00	$48.00
Two Seats	$12.00	$36.00	$72.00
Row Boats	$8.00	$24.00	$48.00
Canoes	$8.00	$24.00	$48.00
Single Kayaks	$8.00	$24.00	$48.00
Double Kayaks	$12.00	$36.00	$72.00
Stand Up Boards	$10.00	$30.00	$60.00

Nature Study Backpacks Available Thanks to the Washington Iowa Soil & Water Conservation District

5/26/2019

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Friends of Lake Darling would like to extend a huge thank you to the Washington Iowa Soil and Water Conservation District for providing us with a grant to purchase and assemble Nature Study backpacks for adults and youth. The Nature Study backpacks are available to be checked out at Lake Darling's Boathouse, campground hosts, or the Park's staff. This generous grant allowed us to purchase 6 youth backpacks and 4 adult backpacks which include nets, binoculars, specimen dishes, magnifying glasses, and field guides - everything you'd need to explore Lake Darling!

Friends of Lake Darling hopes these Nature Study backpacks will help encourage exploration and awareness of the wildlife, ecosystems, conservation, and watershed management at Lake Darling. The backpacks will be available to check out from campground hosts, Lake Darling Boathouse and Parks staff.

There are both adult and children nature study backpacks available for checkout free of charge thanks to the Washington Iowa Soil and Water Conservation District! We hope children and their families will take advantage of these backpacks to explore, learn, and enjoy the benefits of conservation and being outdoors at Lake Darling.

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Friends of Lake Darling Receives Washington Co. Riverboat Foundation Grant to Expand Paved Trails.

5/19/2019

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Friends of Lake Darling were awarded a Grant from the Washington Riverboat Foundation of $135,000! The grant will be used to finish the ADA trail over the bridge and to the east side of Lake Darling State Park. Friends of Lake Darling is very excited to receive funding for this project.

We want to thank the Washington County Riverboat Foundation, Iowa DNR, and all of you who enjoy and love Lake Darling as much as we do!

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Jimmy Dick MemorialCrappiethon

4/8/2019

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Updated: May 8, 2019
Join us Sunday, May 12th for the Inaugural Jimmy Dick Memorial Crappiethon in honor of former Friends of Lake Darling Board President, Jim Dickinson.

Registration begins at 6am at the Lake Darling Boat Ramp
Tournament is from 7am to noon

Registration is $10 per person the day of the event and proceeds support the Friends of Lake Darling.

Tournament rules are as follows:
This is a 1-3-person Team Tournament. All ages welcome. If at any time you do not have a partner, one team member can still fish as a team. Any team member substitutions must be authorized by the tournament coordinator. The Tournament weigh in location is the Boat House.

Tournament Starts at 7 AM-NOON.
All teams must check in Sunday, May 12th between the hours of 6:00 am and 7 am at the Lake Darling Boat House with the tournament coordinators. Anyone that can’t check in must notify the coordinator. Cost is $10 per person.

Bank or Boat Fishing Allowed. More than one team may fish from one boat but must keep fish
separate.

All fish must be caught by rod. Follow all IOWA FISHING and SAFETY REGULATIONS. ALL
PARTICIPANTS MUST BE IN POSSESSION OF A VALID IOWA FISHING LICENSE. Children must
be accompanied by a licensed adult.

No tournament fishing at Boathouse marina.

Severe weather may cancel tournament.

This is a “10 crappie weigh in” contest. Teams will not be allowed to bring more than 10 fish to weigh in (9-inch minimum length.) All fish weighed in must be counted by an authorized crappie catch counter. No water is to be brought to fish weigh in.

Winners will be determined by weight. TEAM HEAVIEST CRAPPIE and TEAM HEAVIEST TOTAL
CATCH. In case of a tie, teams must re-weigh. If there still is a tie, the length of the largest fish will determine the winner.

Absolutely no lines in the water until start time and must be out of water at tournament end time. All teams must be at weigh in at the Boat House marina by 12:30 or will be disqualified. Any and all live wells will be subject to inspection.

Violators of any of the listed rules may be disqualified for the tournament. The Tournament coordinator will determine severity of violations based on the facts.

REGISTRATION.
6 AM- 7AM
WEIGH IN
12:30 PM

Prizes Will be Awarded at the end of weigh in. Cash prizes will be
determined by the number of entries. Other prizes will be raffled.

Proceeds benefit Friends of Lake Darling to go to Lake Darling State Park.

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University of Iowa Wildlife Camps

4/3/2019

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Friends of Lake Darling is excited to announce The University of Iowa Wildlife Camps is coming to Lake Darling State Park again in 2019 from June 24-28. Students entering 3rd - 7th grade will enjoy a week of adventure! Last year we offered this grant at a reduced cost to participants through the generous help of a grant through the Washington County Riverboat Foundation. It was such a success the University of Iowa Wildlife Camps decided to come back this year!

Activities include: Studying wildlife at Lake Darling including mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and insects. Exploring the natural woodlands, wetlands, and prairies and other natural habitats at Lake Darling. Learning about our park history Kayaking, canoeing, and hiking! Learn more at https://recserv.uiowa.edu/lake-darkling-state-park.

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Summer Employment Opportunity

3/4/2019

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Friends of Lake Darling is now accepting applications for the Boathouse! Send your resume to friendsoflakedarling@gmail.com by March 31st!
Here is the job description: Boathouse Attendants welcomes guests in courteous manner. Operates the Boathouse on weekends and Holidays for water craft rentals. Additional duties include:
Selling bait and tackle to customers. Cleaning and maintenance of watercrafts to ensure proper working order. Refilling pop machine and maintenance. Cleaning boathouse.
Applicants must have a strong dedication to customer service, and a positive, friendly attitude. Must be able to perform a variety of physical tasks in a variety of weather conditions including sun, wind, and rain.
No more than 40 hours a week must be 18 years old. The Boathouse is open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Hours are 10am-7pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays.
Friends of Lake Darling is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Lake Darling Pedestrian Bridge Made Possible By Donation From Jerry B. Robinson.

12/2/2018

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October 28, 2018: Recent completion of the 140 foot pedestrian bridge spanning the Lake Darling State Park silt dam will be marked by a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 2 PM. The event will be held at the Cottonwood Shelter adjoining the first boat ramp parking lot and at the new American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant bridge.

Events will begin with the dedication at the Cottonwood Shelter, followed by a ribbon cutting at the bridge and return to the shelter for refreshments and conversation. The public is encouraged to attend and to dress for the weather.

"This is yet another example of the Friends of Lake Darling working in partnership with Lake Darling State Park to bring ADA amenities to our park, making nature more accessible to the public," Dr. Fay Vittetoe Friends of Lake Darling Board Member, reported. "At the 2016 Park Re-dedication we dreamed of a bridge over the silt dam, and here it is!"

Funding for the bridge and its installation was made possible by Richland native Jerry B. Robinson, currently of Engelwood Colorado, through a grant of $200,000. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources supervisor Tom Basten said the ADA approaches to the bridge were funded with funds from Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Funds allocated to the park this year.

Vittetoe commented that the Friends will continue to work with park personnel on future projects and invites the public to take time to enjoy the paved trails connecting shoreline to the campground. There is a new segment of trail connecting to the Four Season Cabins near which the cabins donor names panel is now view-able.

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Friends of Lake Darling Receives Washington County Riverboat Foundation Mini-Grant

8/28/2018

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Thanks to a $2,000 grant, the Lake Darling Lodge will get new tables.

Friends of Lake Darling Board Members from left to right: President Stacie Lowe, Vice President Bob Shepherd, Angie Greiner, Treasurer Don Kline, and Merrill Lucas.

Friends of Lake Darling received a $2,000 mini-grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation for new tables at the Four Seasons Lodge. Thank you to the Washington County Riverboat Foundation for your generosity! Friends of Lake Darling greatly appreciates it!

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Washington County Riverboat Foundation Grant

8/28/2018

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Thank you to the Washington County Riverboat Foundation for a $3,500 grant to assist with registration fees for the Wildlife Camps and School of the Wild. We very much look forward to helping youth experience Lake Darling and learn about nature. We had a fantastic evening!

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