Nature center hours are Mon - Tues 8 a.m. - Noon; Wed - Fri 8 a.m. - noon and 1 - 4:30 p.m.; weekends 1-4 p.m. (5 p.m. summer).
Fontana Park and Interpretive Nature Center, just 9 miles north of Independence on Hwy 150, were developed around a 19th century mill site. A shelter house was built on the old mill foundation, and the mill stones are on display. Fontana Park offers fishing, hiking trails, camping, and a playground. It also has shelter houses that may be reserved by the public for a small fee by calling 319-636-2617.
The Fontana Interpretive Nature Center contains meeting and classroom areas, a variety of exhibits, a nature library and observation deck, and staff offices. The nature center was built with conservation in mind, making use of local resources and energy-efficient technology. Exhibits in the Fontana Interpretive Nature Center helps visitors understand how we can "make our home in a living environment." As visitors use the nature center they see and touch natural objects, play games, and find answers to questions.
 
In addition to the nature center, visitors to Fontana Park can enjoy the live wildlife display that features animals native to Iowa. Animals in the display include orphaned, injured, or human-raised wildlife that can no longer live in the wild. Without human care they would perish. It is our belief that the animals displayed here serve a valuable purpose to educate the public about Iowa's native wildlife and the need to protect and respect them. Daily care is given by a dedicated staff that provides the best possible environment for the residents of the display. The display is licensed and regularly inspected by federal inspectors of the Animal Protection Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. An attending veterinarian serves our veterinary needs.
Sustainable Living Cabins
There has been a lot excitement expressed by area visitors to Fontana Park about the two new Sustainable Living Cabins scheduled to open later this summer. The cabins will feature overnight comfort with solar electricity and energy efficiency.
 
Each cabin will comfortably sleep six, with two private bedrooms, a sleeper sofa in the living room, and a private bathroom with shower. There will be vaulted, wood-sided interiors, and exterior wood siding from trees harvested in Buchanan County. Each cabin will have a porch, table, grill, and fire ring.
The cabins' comforts and amenities will be complimented by natural beauty, park attractions, and promotion of a sustainable lifestyle. The cabins will be off-grid - receiving all electrical needs through roof-mounted solar panels with battery storage. Cabin construction makes use of energy efficient, structural insulated panels (SIPs), triple pane windows, water conserving faucets and toilets, and more. Details of the sustainability features will be prevalent, with educational displays, printed materials, and components that can be easily viewed. Contractors and Conservation Board staff are busy working on the project.
Contractors include:
B&K Construction, Winthrop
Klever Concrete, Independence
L&M Electric, Sumner
Go Solar!, Decorah
Affordable Plumbing & Heating, Independence
Rick Ratchford Excavating, Brandon
Special thanks go out to Energy Panel Systems of Graettinger, Iowa which manufactures the SIP panels and provided financial support, and Parco Windows of Wisconsin for providing a discount on windows.
Call 319-636-2617 to be placed on a list to receive information once reservations begin being accepted.
Enhanced Water
As I write this article, I can see trucks from Central Iowa Water Association (CIWA) from my window. It is likely that by the time you read these words Fontana Park will have rural water service. Voted the best tasting water in the nation!, CIWA water will be a great improvement to the water supply, which in the past has had its ups and downs.
|
