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| SUMMIT PHOTO BY JESUSA CHRISTIANS
Lake Catherine is one of the crown jewels of Thorpe Park, which is administered by the Winnebago County Conservation Board. |
Thorpe Park is a nature lover's dream
- Fun on a tank -
By Jesusa Christians
Of The Summit
FOREST CITY - Iowa has a lot to offer people as far as places to have fun. One needs only to look as far back as a tank of gas will carry them to find great places to visit.
Are you the type of person that likes the outdoors?
Are you the person who likes taking hikes, doing a little bird watching and enjoying wildlife in general?
Then pack your family up and head west to Thorpe Park, which is located about five miles west of Forest City.
Campers at Thorpe Park can enjoy the peaceful tranquility and seclusion of the campground, which is located near Lake Catherine.
“It's a beautiful park,” said Jeff Van Slyke, who had been camping at Thorpe Park for the last two weeks. “This is my favorite spot.”
There are a total of 17 campsites; 15 with electric at $12 a day/night and two with no electric sites for $8 a day/night.
“Another nice feature is that there is a water pump throughout the park,” said Lisa Ralls, a naturalist with the Winnebago County Conservation Board that is based at the park. “A lot of parks don't have access to water, except in their main shelter house.”
An open-shelter house can be reserved at a very low price of $10 per day on a first come first serve basis. A curfew of 10 p.m. allows plenty of time for people to enjoy themselves. It provides the community a great place for picnics and family gatherings.
Energetic people can keep busy at Thorpe Park with hiking around the marsh and onto the Russ Wild Life area.
“The whole trail is about a mile and a half,” said Ralls. “Wildlife that one might see are trumpeter swans, turkey, deer, song birds, salamanders. Earlier this summer, we had a visit from a whooping crane. The whooping crane is the third most endangered species in the world.”
Hunting grounds are a big attraction of Thorpe Park. Hunting is allowed by season and depends on the season at hand.
“One could hunt for deer, pheasants, and waterfowl,” said Ralls.” “Absolutely no turkey hunting is allowed or shotgun deer hunting. Every year we allow bow-hunting, but your name must be drawn. Trapping and muzzleloader hunting, which is when the hunters use a black powder rifle, is also allowed as long as hunters have a permit.
Fishing, boating, and canoeing can all be enjoyed during the warm summer days.
“I used to come here all the time,” said Dale Elbert. “I like to fish for bass out here.”
And as if on cue, he hooked a large-mouth bass, which he returned to the lake after being photographed, of course.
The winter months don't keep a true fisherman from enjoying a day at the lake. Lake Catherine is a 15-acre lake that was named after Catherine Thorpe.
The Thorpe family purchased the park in 1943. Swimming is not allowed in the lake due to there being no lifeguard on duty. “It would be a high liability risk to allow it,” said Ralls.
Thorpe Park is made up of three sections that cover a total of 342 acres; which include Thorpe Recreation area, Thorpe Park, and the Russ Wildlife area. Thorpe Park is located just six miles West of Forest City. Thorpe Park makes for perfect fun on a tank adventure.
Story created Aug 05, 2008 - 10:29:02 CDT.
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