Debuke County Conservation presents plan for Locer Lake recreation area near Cascade

George Davis, chairman of the Debuke County Conservation Board, briefed the Cascade City Council on plans for Locer Lake — a roughly 100‑acre parcel north of Cascade that includes a 30‑acre lake formed by past sand mining.

Davis said the conservation board purchased the property for $500,000, funded roughly $300,000 from private donations and grants and expended about $200,000 from conservation funds to complete the acquisition. He said the board has engaged RDG Design on a site plan that includes a walking trail, a boat launch and dock, a pavilion and a pit restroom; the plan also envisions ADA‑accessible fishing access.

"We acquired approximately 100 acres north of Cascade...the site plan includes a walking trail around the lake, a boat launch, a pavilion, a pit bathroom," Davis said, describing features intended to serve county and city residents.

Davis said the conservation board will seek voter approval to place a conservation bond on the ballot; he referenced prior discussion of an $18‑million bond (and noted that a previous $40‑million, 20‑year request five years earlier fell short of the 60% threshold). He estimated the infrastructure needed to open the site for public use could be on the order of about $1 million (board and grant funding would be sought).

Councilmembers asked about trail connections from Cascade and whether camping will be allowed; Davis said there is no camping planned on the property acquired and outlined two possible trail routes requiring either a pedestrian bridge or use of public roadways to reach the site. He also discussed potential state funding sources for trails and bridges.

Davis encouraged community input as planning continues and said the conservation board expects to place the funding question on the November ballot; the board plans additional outreach and preliminary design work before any major construction begins.