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Consultant presents appendix E: facilities master plan update for Muscatine County Conservation
Summary
Consultant Mike presented an appendix to the county’s conservation facilities master plan cataloging buildings, maintenance needs and proposed priorities for Discovery Park, Salisbury, Deep Lakes and Jack Sugar Memorial Park, and recommended targeted feasibility studies for larger ideas such as a live-animal exhibit.
Mike, the consultant engaged on the county facilities master plan, presented an appendix (Appendix E) to the Muscatine County Conservation master plan that inventories conservation facilities and outlines maintenance and capital recommendations.
Mike said the appendix focuses on roofed structures and “brick and mortar” facilities across the conservation system and catalogues primary facilities at Discovery Park, Salisbury Ridge Recreation Area, Deep Lakes Park and Jack Sugar Memorial Park. He identified projects ranging from accessibility and interior renovations at the Salisbury lodge to potential additional parking and accessibility upgrades at the Discovery Center. Mike also noted ideas for Deep Lakes Park related to maintenance facilities and possible cabin expansion, recommending a feasibility study for larger, more specialized projects.
On the topic of a proposed live-animal exhibit at the Discovery Center, Mike said the recommendation is to retain a specialist consultant to scope feasibility and budgets; he advised the board that initial research showed such exhibits are expensive and require specialized design. Mike also noted that the conservation board had already invested in campground electrical upgrades and a newer restroom/shower facility at Salisbury in recent years.
Supervisors discussed long-term priorities and trade-offs for flood-prone sites such as Salisbury Ridge, where frequent flooding raises questions about investing significant capital there versus other sites. Mike said the appendix provides baseline data the conservation board can use to set priorities and capital schedules. The board did not take a vote; the presentation will be incorporated as Appendix E into the conservation master plan.
