WASHINGTON

In his fiscal 2022-023 annual report to the supervisors, Zach Rozmus, executive director of the Washington County Conservation Board (WCCB), said, “Fiscal 2022-23 year will always be remembered as a year of growth for the Washington County Conservation Board.”

A major aspect of that growth is construction of a new shower house at Marr Park in Ainsworth, something for which planning began in 2017. It replaces the one built in 1991 that had long outgrown its desired workload, he noted.

The contract for the new facility was made with Carl A. Nelson with work starting in September 2023, with a goal to have it ready for the 2024 camping season. In fact, camping at Marr Park is a major activity/attraction. A number of local contractors and businesses were and are involved in the project (many have donated funds or materials for it) that “will serve as the front door to the Marr Park campground,” said Rozmus.

The first stage of the work started September 6 with WCCB staff as well as with help from the county’s engineering department to demolish the existing shower house and it was done that day. At the conclusion, all that remained was the original concrete foundation.

Plan and design were done by Carl A. Nelson; building contractor was Myers Construction Inc.

In other improvements, last fall the small pond at Marr Park was stocked with Rainbow Trout, giving anglers a new, unique option for fishing. County residents and nonresidents 11 years or older must have a valid Iowa fishing license and a trout stamp to use the pond. Daily trout limit is five.

There now is the addition of an interactive and educational prairie root display at the Conservation Education Center, including a fish display featuring several fish puzzles and the definitive Get to Know Iowa Turtles.

There also is a staff addition with Jacob Adrian hired as Maintenance Technician who joined the regular staff of director Rozmus; Megan Jorgensen, naturalist; Randi Brase, activities director; Fritz Engel, maintenance supervisor; Cody Smith, ranger/technician; and Brett Johnson, ranger/technician. There also is regular summer help.

Expenditures for fiscal 2023 were $1,014,597.75; total banked funds are $516,178.49. The center had 543 education programs with a formal attendance of 11,590 serving ages from preschool to senior citizens. There also were a Special Education shooting range certification, and programs for special needs, youth groups, as well as public events, which drew 924. For the year, center facility rentals totaled $7,925; camping fees $72,580; shelter fees, $6.175; Center hall rentals, $12,189; crop rentals $29,814; and program fees, $3,530. Private donations were $18,589 and the Kewash Riverboat Grant was $22,355.