HomeMy WebLinkAboutNaturalAreasBrochure_printableConnecting with Our Natural
Heritage
Over 100 hundred years ago, 83% of Iowa’s land
was covered with prairie vegetation, while forests
and wetlands occupied the remainder of the land.
In Johnson County, the early historic landscape was
dominated by prairie prior to European settlement and
forests were present along most valleys where rivers or
extensive wet areas protected them from fire. Wetlands
and lakes were small and concentrated along valleys.
In a span of around 70 years, ending in about 1900,
97% of our state was converted to farmland. Because
of this dramatic and rapid transformation, very little
of the original ecosystem exists, and what remnants
have survived, are unique and valuable resources to
our community. The City’s reconstructed prairies and
wetlands are now habitats that contain species of
plants, animals and insects native to Iowa’s landscape.
Get involved:
Visitors can enjoy nature walks on our trail system,
join the local bird club, or investigate the landscape
and discover the different species of flowers, trees,
and insects they hold. Several volunteer events to
remove invasive species, collect prairie seeds, and
pick up garbage occur during the year. Residents
interested in volunteering should email or call
for more information. Remember - please do not
remove any plants or other materials from the
City’s natural areas on your own unless you have
permission from City staff.
For more information contact:
Juli Seydell Johnson,
Parks and Recreation Director
Juli-SJohnson@iowa-city.org
319-356-5104
Zac Hall,
Superintendent of Parks
zac-hall@iowa-city.org
319-356-5093
Related links:
Parks and Recreation Master Plans:
www.icgov.org/parksrecmasterplan
Iowa City Trails map:
www.icgov.org/trails
Monarchs in Iowa City:
www.icgov.org/icmonarchs A reference guide of
Natural Areas managed
by the Iowa City Parks and
Recreation Department.
March 2019 Natural Areas in Iowa CityThe City owns over 1,000 acres of prairie, wetlands, and forested areas within several different properties. Some are located within city parks, while others are non-park natural areas. These properties host plants and animals native to Iowa while providing recreation opportunities. See the table below for a list of the areas and the vegetation types they contain.Iowa City Natural AreasAcres & Vegetation TypesVegetation type(s)LocationPrairieWetlandForest or Riparian1. Waterworks Park230XXX2. Peninsula Parkland140X3. Hickory Hill Park185XXX4. Longfellow Trail Prairie<1X5. Rohret Road Prairie1.3X6. Sand Prairie (native)38X7. Whispering Meadows Wetland Park18XX8. Terry Trueblood Recreational Area207XXX9. Ryerson Woods Park49XX10. Sycamore Greenspace106XX11. Oxeye Prairie22X12. Riverfront Crossings17XX13. Hunters Run27XXXHickory Hill Park ImprovementEnvironmental Value of Natural Areas• Opportunities for a variety of outdoor opportunities• Species diversity and protection of endangered or threatened species• Reduced floods and flood impacts• Educational opportunities• Protection and enhancement of water quality• Decreased soil loss and erosion• Improved soil quality and fertility• High-quality habitat for a variety of organisms• Carbon sequestrationIn 2017 and 2018, the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department was awarded two grants of $200,000 each from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program. These REAP grants were received for Hickory Hill Park for improvement of the natural areas. Improvements include:• Woodland Restoration• Prairie Restoration• Trail Work• Updated Bridges• Signage • Creek RestorationHickory Hill Park is a 185-acre wooded area located in the north eastern part of the city. Hickory Hill began as a .4-acre park in 1967 and has continued to expand over the years. The park is a popular destination for day hikers, dog walkers, and cross country skiers. Natural Areas of Iowa City
Natural Areas of Iowa City