Eastern Iowa Observatory - Linn Parks Challenge Traditional Geocache
Eastern Iowa Observatory - Linn Parks Challenge
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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What is this all about???
Linn County Conservation wants YOU to visit their parks and find some Geocache's.
Linn County Conservation owns 29 Parks and Recreation areas.
The Linn Parks Challenge will take you to 25 of these 29 Parks and Recreation areas.
(Listed below)
As an extra incentive, if you "find" all of the Geocache's for all 25 locations you will be rewarded with a special collectable trackable Geocaching coin!
Only one special / collectable trackable coin will be given per household.
How is this accomplished?
Download your "Passport" HERE.
Take this Passport with you when you are seeking these Caches.
Each of these 25 Caches will contain a small plate with a 'unique' embossed tag on them. Some of the caches will also have the embossed tag on the outside of the container.
They also contain a crayon in them.
Use the tag and the crayon to mark your 'Passport' to prove that you have found this Cache!
Once your Passport is completed you may claim your special coin at Wickiup Outdoor Learning Center.
N 42° 04.960 W 091° 45.862
(10260 Morris Hills Rd, Toddville, IA 52341)
NOTE: - The "Special" Coin is NOW available!!!
Each Geocaching family / Household will receive a FREE special / Trackable Coin once they have completed the passport.
Other family members (that have completed this Challenge) may purchase a coin for $10.00.
This special coin may NOT be purchased by the general public.
The month of June 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of this cache Series.
The Linn Parks Challenge Series has had a great run!
The Linn Parks Challenge Series will be ending on June 30, 2024.
Special Thanks to the Geocachers that created this series and kept it going for 10 years:
Art & Marcia Temple (Cosmic Cachers), Corely Welch (CCWelch), Dave Beck (teambecks), Frank Helsell (dazedandconfused), Jeff Goodson (SuperGoober), Mike Brace (Tikibirds), Nathan Welch (welch), Ron Tonneson (RonTon) & Tim Stewart (The Weasel).
Abbe Creek School Museum
Buffalo Creek Park
Cedar Valley Nature Trail
Center Point Historic Depot
Chain Lakes Natural Area
Eastern Iowa Observatory & Learning Center
Goose Pond Natural Area
Harold & Ruth Rehrauer Natural Area
Hitaga Sand Ridge Prairie Preserve
Hoover Nature Trail
J. Harold Ennis Preserve
Jay G. Sigmund Memorial Site
Matsell Bridge Natural Area
Morgan Creek Park
North Cedar Natural Area
Palisades-Dows Preserve
Palo Marsh Natural Area
Pinicon Ridge Park
Rock Island Botanical Preserve
South Cedar Natural Area
Wanatee Park
Troy Mills River Access
Wakpicada Natural Area
Wickiup Hill Learning Center
Wickiup Hill Natural Area
Eastern Iowa Observatory & Learning Center
A relationship established in the early 1980s celebrated its special partnership in 2008 with the grand opening of the Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center in Linn County!
The Cedar Amateur Astronomers and the Linn County Conservation Board began working in tandem in 1983 out of a common interest to raise public awareness about astronomy through local educational programs.
For nearly a quarter of a century, this partnership has flourished and blossomed - sustained by visionary leadership with support & participation from the Greater Cedar Rapids and Linn County communities.
By making available land and support facilities at their Palisades-Dows Preserve, the Conservation Board provided the opportunity for the Astronomers to install their first permanent domed structure and telescope in 1987.
This was followed in the mid-1990s with a second facility containing a larger telescope.
Over the past two and a half decades, the Cedar Amateur Astronomers have provided hundreds of free public programs and education sessions at the Pal-Dows Preserve and other Linn County Conservation venues.
In 2003, the Cedar Amateur Astronomers were the recipient of a gracious donation from the University of Iowa of a rare and valuable cassegrain telescope made by the Boller & Chivens division of Perkin-Elmer Corp.
The research-quality telescope has a 24-inch mirror, and upon installation in a new location will have an estimated value over $250,000.
The “new location” would be the premier public astronomy site in Iowa….the Eastern Iowa Observatory & Learning Center.
As a 501(c)(3) organization, the C.A.A. launched a capital campaign in 2004 to raise the $700,000+ to construct the necessary support facility for the telescope(s), education programs and administration.
In partnership with the Linn County Conservation Board, the project was identified early in 2006 as a priority for the “15 in 5 - Community Planning Process” in the Greater Linn County area.
In June of 2006, the effort received statewide support with a $250,000 Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Grant through the VISION IOWA program which “…..provides financial incentives to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa”.
Coupled with a $25,000 infusion from the Linn County Board of Supervisors, the Astronomers successfully raised the remaining $500,000 in private donations to fund the project to completion.
The facility was gifted to Linn County in late 2007 for management by the Conservation Board.
Location
The Eastern Iowa Observatory & Learning Center (EIOLC) is located in southern Linn County in Palisades-Dows Preserve located along Ivanhoe Road,
Operating Hours & Seasons
The EIOLC is open for the public programs, as well as by scheduling an event with the members of the Cedar Amateur Astronomers via the link: CONTACT THE CEDAR AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS
Congratulations to those that have found all 25 Caches for the Linn Parks Challenge!
A list of the Cachers that have found all 25 Caches can be viewed on the Linn Co Conservation Profile page or at this link:
Those that have completed the Linn Parks Challenge
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)