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
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
Chain Lakes 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
Wanatee Park
Wanatee Park offers opportunities for picnicking, camping, winter activities, nature study and more.
This 700-acre park is home to a variety of wildlife.
The proximity to the metropolitan area makes Wanatee Park a popular destination for outdoor recreation.
Camping
Wanatee Park offers 69 campsites with a modern, state-of-the-art restroom and shower facility.
Campgrounds are usually open April 15 to October 15, ground conditions permitting.
The Wanatee Campground is divided into two camping areas:
A Loop and B Loop.
A Loop at Wanatee Park is the only family campground in the Linn County Park system that allows advanced reservations. There are two sanitary dumping stations nearby.
Wanatee Trail
The 4 mile trail winds through a variety of vegetation types ranging from open meadows to brushy creek bottoms to mature timber.
Users have the opportunity to enjoy the solitude of a hike in the woods while viewing wildflowers and abundant wildlife.
The trail is popular for hiking, horseback riding, nature study, running and cross country skiing.
A portion of the trail system is groomed for cross country skiing, both classical and skate-ski styles.
The trail system include a mountain biking system, developed and managed by LAMBA and equestrian-friendly trails.
Lodges & Shelters
The park has two enclosed lodges and one open air shelter.
Prairie Oak Lodge offers approximately 4000 square feet of floor space.
Red Cedar Lodge offers approximately 2000 square feet of floor space.
Meadowlark Shelter has nearby outdoor recreation opportunities including trails, playgrounds, picnic tables and grills.
Location
Wanatee Park is located on the southeast side of Marion, just west of Hwy. 13 off Hwy. 100, and south on Banner Drive.
Features
Lighted downhill sledding facility
Dog training area
Operating Hours & Seasons
Park hours are 4:00 AM - 10:30 PM.
Many features of the park are open on a year-round basis, some will close seasonally.
Campgrounds and shelters are generally open from April 15 - October 15th (weather & ground conditions may contract or expand these dates).
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