As part of the new Southtown development on former Shiloh land, the Washington County Conservation Board (WCCB) and the City of Kalona approved a 28E agreement for WCCB management of about 200 acres of recreational areas. The agreement came during the Nov. 10 Board of Supervisors meeting. The approximate 685 acres of the Southtown development became part of Kalona in a voluntary annexation this fall.

The agreement between county and city will go into effect Thursday, Nov. 19 and run through July 1, 2022. City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh said, “both [groups] will work together cooperatively to create a permanent 28E agreement,” at that time. There will not be a separate entity created in the process; it will remain a shared arrangement.

The approximate two years of the current plan will permit both entities to evaluate and determine exactly the design, scope and use of recreational facilities, including trails, fisheries and a beach, as well as operational costs.

In addition to managing the fishing areas, the WCCB also will maintain the area’s surrounding ponds to make them accessible to the public. Such work includes mowing, shelter maintenance, tree planting, forest management and other responsibilities. There also are 117 acres of wetland reserve property along the English River to be managed by the WCCB.

There will also be maintenance of current and future trail systems and there is a clear provision that the trail systems will continue to be developed.

Kalona is providing the WCCB with equipment storage (and a possible office) in the city-owned building at 2285 133rd St. (specifically, the approximate 1,800 sq. ft. of bay 2). The building also houses the ambulance services for District 2 of the county’s ambulance and emergency services department.

As for future facilities in the area, “it depends on how the property develops,” said WCCB Executive Director Zach Rozmus. Plans in the development are for family residences and some condos. The property also includes three farms.