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Conservation director flags liability, species risks as climbers boulder on county land
Summary
Conservation Director Nathan Jones told the board that members of the Iowa Rock Climbers Coalition were observed 'bouldering' in sensitive Ozark areas; staff will consult insurance and county attorney about signage, restrictions and liability, and will propose possible permitted locations such as Prairie Creek.
Nathan Jones, Conservation Director, updated the board on two projects: contractor selection for Bridgeport access (bids below engineer estimates, low bidder accepted) and ongoing work at Prairie Creek, including pilings for a new bridge and trail improvements. Jones also reported encounters with climbers practicing "bouldering" in protected Ozark areas and raised concerns about liability, endangered-species protections and whether signage or ordinance language should be revised to restrict or permit certain activities.
Jones said the climbers "call it bouldering" and that the county’s ordinance addresses climbers who install hardware but is vague about free-climbing; he asked staff to consult the county attorney and insurance carrier about possible requirements (release forms, fall protection, permitted sites). Board members suggested concentrating permitted activity in areas with road/access such as Prairie Creek and updating signage and ordinance language; Jones also outlined upcoming trail kickoffs and a possible spring ribbon-cutting.
