The general election is less than a month away, and that includes a $25 million conversation ticket that could have a significant impact on Story County’s bike trails and parks.
The Story County Water and Land Legacy Bond, which is on the ballot for all Story County voters on Nov. 5, would provide funding for conservation and recreation projects across the county. Specific areas of focus include expanding bike paths, improving water quality and habitat, and mitigating flooding along the Skunk River.
Jim Pease, co-chair of the board of Story County Water and Land Legacy Bond, said they will hold a few more in-person and virtual sessions before the election.
“To me, an informed voter is always better than an uninformed voter,” Pease said. “Everything we do in Story County Conservation is a quality of life issue that improves the quality of life in the city of Ames and throughout the county. We really want to make sure people are aware of the vote on Election Day.”
More: Romero House is asking the Ames City Council for new zoning rules ahead of the move
How is the bond financed?
The bond would increase the average household property tax in Story County by $2.60 per month, or $32 per year.
The $25 million would fund several projects in three categories: conservation, recreation and education. About 36% of the deposit goes to county parks, 32% to water and habitat, and 32% to trails and outdoor recreation.
The bond requires 60% of the votes to pass.
Expansion of bike paths near Ames and other recreational improvements
If approved, portions of the $25 million would expand the local biking and walking trail network. This includes:
-
Improving the path network and other facilities in the Deppe Family Conservation area
-
Construction of a cycle path from Ames to Slater as an alternative to the R38 cycle paths
-
Establishing a trail connection from the Ames trail system to McFarland Park
-
Complete paving of the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail from Collins to Marshall County
The bond would also be used to provide more outdoor opportunities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, picnicking, camping, canoeing and kayaking.
Pease, who is also chairman of the Story County Conservation Board, said recreation plays a big role in a city’s quality of life.
“You can have the lowest taxes to attract businesses and all that, but unless those workers have something to do in their spare time, that’s not an attraction for them,” Pease said. “Recreation is becoming a major economic developer.”
Investing in land and water conservation
The province hopes to use some of the $25 million to improve flood mitigation and bank stabilization of the Skunk River. That includes expanding the Skunk River green belt south and stabilizing its banks to reduce nutrient loss.
The province also plans to use the bond to provide long-term stable water quality and habitat for forests and prairies, including:
-
Enhancement of Skunk River Oxbows to assist in flood mitigation by retaining flood water and improving habitat
-
Creating aquatic habitat for less common species in the oxbow wetlands of Wicks Wildlife Area
-
Maintaining water quality at Hickory Grove Beach through a tiered viewing and drainage area
-
Enable fish and mussel passage in the Skunk River by modifying Hannum’s Mill Dam
Expanding environmental education
The bond would also be used to build a new environmental education and nature center in McFarland Park. Current conservation programs have outgrown the park’s current facility, Pease said. The new building will be open to the public, complete with restrooms and exhibition space.
The current character of McFarland will remain intact and will be converted into two large classrooms.
“It’s a very serviceable building,” Pease said. “It’s just too small for us now.”
The plans also include an outdoor recreation area where guests can commune with nature.
More: Ames CSD can now offer individual and group therapy services at school for all students
Upcoming public educational events
Members of the Story County Water and Legacy Bond Committee will share information about the $25 million at the following locations and times:
-
1:00 PM, Monday, October 14 (virtual)
-
6:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 15 at Salem Lutheran Church in Roland
-
11 a.m., Wednesday, October 16 at the Story City Community Center
-
9am, Saturday, October 19 at Copper Spaces in Nevada
-
7 p.m., Tuesday, October 22 at Gilbert Town Hall
-
7 p.m., Tuesday, October 29 (virtual)
A Zoom meeting link can be requested by submitting a form found on the county’s website.
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, politics and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Find out how Story County plans to use its $25 million bond, if approved
