NEW OWNERSHIP FOR MILL CREEK PARK!

O'Brien County Conservation Board now own the park!

On March 12, 1935, bonds were offered for sale by the First National Bank of Paullina. The $20,000 raised was used to purchase land for the park and to initiate park improvements. The park was transferred to the ownership of the State Conservation Commission on October 25, 1935. Seventy six years hae passed and the O'Brien County Conservation Board has now received ownership of Mill Creek State Park.

Due to vision and diligence of community members, the park project began. Through the years, many citizens, the City of Paullina, and the O'Brien County supervisors have continued to make improvements

Mill Creek Park~From the History Book

The O'Brien County Conservation Board is celebrating the 75th anniversary of Mill Creek Park near Paullina. A look at the history book provides clues about the beginnings of the park.

*In 1975, the O'Brien County Conservation Board took over management of the park. The renewal agreement is valid for 25 year periods.

*Shortly after the management agreement was signed, the Board contacted with Northwest Iowa Technical College of Sheldom to remove silt from the lake basin, drag the channel, and construct three control like structures. The depth of the lake was set at 18 1/2 feet.

*Scout Island was developed in 1976 as part of the lake renovation process. This area is an excellent spot for civic organizations such as scouts and others to take part in the camping experience. It is also a restful and picturesque spot for weddings and other functions.

*In 1977, playground equipment was installed in the park. This and other improvements were made possible by a generous donation in memory of Victor Swanson.

*Throughout the 1980's and 1990's, improvements were made to the park including campsite development, improvements to the beach, and a bike trail from the city to the park.

Upcoming Events

Monday, August 1 - Animal Adaptations at Neebel Park in Hartley 1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m.

~Youths ages 5-12 can meet a naturalist at the city park to learn more about animals and their habitats. Games, fun and a snack will be part of the afternoon.

Tuesday, August 2-Geogaching Basics at the Prairie Heritage Center 6:30p.m.

~Find your way with a GPS unit. This course will get you started with the basics.

Saturday, August 6-Movie on the Beach at Mill Creek Park-Dusk

~Bring your lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the last movie on the beach of the season.

Monday, August 8-Fascinating Forests at Mill Creek Park 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

~Youth age 5-12 bring your sense of adventure and meet a naturalist at the lodge. Explore the woods with a scavenger hung, tree id race and more!

Thursday, August 11-Perseid Meteor Shower at the Prairie Heritage Center 8:30 p.m.

~Join in this night sky event-perfect for the whole family. Learn about the night sky with an indoor activity. Then grab your blanket or lawn chair and head to the prairie to view the shower.

Saturday, August 13-Inkapaduta Canoe Race 10:30 a.m.

~Peterson to the Praire Heritage Center

Tuesday, August 23-Bison Burger Picnic and Lawn Concert 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

~Make plans to bring your famil and friends to this fun annual event. Support the nature center while enjoying the fun, food and music.

Thursday, September 8-Millions of Monarchs-Mill Creek Park 5:30 p.m.

~Be immersed in the monarch migration. Meet at the lodge to learn more about this butterfly's life cycle. We will then spread throughout the park to tag the monarchs.

Saturday, September 10- Women in the Outdoors-Oak Grove Park 8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m.

~The full slate of events has not been set yet; but as always women will have an opportunity to learn outdoor skills in a supportive environment.

Saturday, September 10-Hunter Safety Education Course-Mill Creek Lodge 8:00am. to 5:00p.m

Sunday, September 11 1:00p.m. to 4:00p.m.

~Call Rich Frerk to reigister yourself or child. 712-448-2590

Saturday, September 10-Nature Writing-Prairie Heritage Center 8:30a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

~Space is limited and pre-registration is needed. Registration deadline is September 7. Our gues presenter is Ann Lundberg. Ann is a professor of English at Northwestern College.

Thursday, September 15-Fall Prairie Walk-Prairie Heritage Center 6:00 p.m.

~Enjoy a stoll through the tall grass in the cool of the autumn evening.

Saturday, September 17-Hawk Watch-Prairie Heritage Center 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

~Stop by this come-and-go event and keep an eye on the sky for raptors overhead.

Saturday, September 25-Fall Fest-Prairie Heritage Center 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

~Celebrate 5 years of service for the Prairie Heritage Center at this event. The fall fest is fun for all ages with horse drawn wagon rides, crafts, fresh pressed apple cider and more.

Tuesday, October 4-Tree-rific-Prairie Heritage Center 6:30 p.m.

~Join a naturalist for a family oriented evening learning about trees.

~S

Upcoming Events

Monday, August 1 1:00p.m - 3:00 p.m. -Animal Adaptations-Neebel park-Hartley

~Youth age 5-12 can meet a naturalist at the city park to learn more about animals and their h

Fishing Jetty At Dog Creek

A 110' foot long rock habitat structure and fishing jetty was recently installed on the north side of Dog Creek Lake near the beach. This structure will be a big boost for people fishing in the lake. The jetty allows access to deep water fishing without the need for a boat. The point is also accesible for anglers with limited mobility.

In addition to making fishing access easier, the base of the jetty also improves fish habitat. The rock substrate provides shelter for small insects which attract small fish and finally bring larger fish to the area surronding the jetty. This improves the fisheries population of the entire lake and also adds to sport fish quality and quantity.

A solar light will soon be installed at the end of the jetty. This devise will attract insects into the open water surronding the platform and improve the fishing opportunities. The light will also provide night access for anglers.

Fishing is great at Dog Creek. Several large fish, including at 21 1/2" large mouth bass, have recently been caught!

Bring your gear and check out the new fishing opportunity for our area!

The 17th Annual Wings & Wetlands Weekend

A six county festival Saturday & Sunday-May 14th & 15th, 2011

The Wings and Wetlands Festival is an annual event held throughout the counties of Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, O'Brien, Clay and Palo Alto. Special activities to celebrate the return of Spring are planned.

Here's whats in store for O'Brien County on Saturday, May 14:

7:30 a.m. - Breakfast with the birds
Get your day started with a little birding adventure. Meet at the Prairie Heritage
Center. Rolls and coffee will be served. We'll start out with a hike down the path,
then carpool over to Wanata State Park, near Peterson.

11:00 a.m.- Trumpeter Swan Release
Head over to Waterman Prairie for another "Prairie Parade" event. The site is
located 1 1/2 miles south of Hwy 10 on Warbler Ave. Follow the gravel road
around the hill. The parking lot on the east side of road. Have an opportunity to
view and touch these magnificent birds before they are released onto the pond.

2:00 p.m. - Explore the Wonders of Water
Bring the whole family out to Dog Creek Park. We will meet at shelter house
by the beach. This event will involve a little water and a lot of fun as we explore
the wonders of water through activities and games.

7:00 p.m.- Snakes Alive
Come out to the Prairie Heritage Center to enjoy a live reptile program
presented by Rebecca Christoffel of Iowa State University. She will be bringing
some live reptiles with her for you to view. While at the center, be sure to check out
the Slithering Snake Exhibit in the lower level.

Slithering Snake Exhibit

Slide on in to the nature center to view this exhibit beginning April 1st. Walk through a gigantic full bodied snake! A dynamic traveling exhibit will be on display in the lower level of the center through summer. You won't want to miss it! This exhibit was originally constructed by Purdue University and was a top notch draw at the Indiana State Fair.

Information is power! Whether snakes make you a little nervous of if you are totally fascinated by them, this exhibit if for you. Regardless of where you are on the comfort continuum, there is always something new to learn.

Rebecca Christoffel, from Iowa State Univeristy, will be our highlighted speaker at the Wings and Wetlands Festival on Saturday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. She will be bringing live snakes for demonstration and will also present fascinating information about them. Mark your calendars, you won't want to miss this one!!