History of Starr's Cave Park & Preserve

In 1924, an attempt was made by many prominent business men of Burlington to create a state park from the Starr’s Cave area located in Tama Township. Unfortunately, most of the landowners involved objected and the acquisition was never carried out. In 1974, the Iowa Conservation Commission (now the Iowa DNR) purchased the 142.585-acre area with Open Space Funds with the intent that it be transferred to the Des Moines County Conservation Board for management. The DMCCB entered into a 25-year management agreement with the Iowa Conservation Commission in July, 1975.

This area, known as Starr’s Cave Park and Preserve, was dedicated as geological and scenic preserve on October 16, 1978 approved by the Iowa Conservation Commission, Iowa State Preserve Advisory Board, and Governor Robert D. Ray. There is within this area, 24 acres that has been designated as a “park” area. This active recreation area does not have the same restrictions as the “preserve” area. The specific rules and restrictions for the entire area are listed in the “General Rules of Management for Starr’s Cave Park and Preserve”.   This “active recreation area” is the immediate area surrounding the nature center.

This natural area contains diverse wooded hills and bluffs descending to a small parcel of bottomland along Flint Creek. Flint Creek enters the property in the northwest corner and meanders through the area for about 1 1/4 miles and leaves through the property at the southeast boundary.

In April, 1981, ICC approved the Revised Master Plan for Starr’s Cave Park and Preserve. The revision consisted on renovation of an existing barn into a nature center, construction of an amphitheater and weather station, and the renovation of an existing silo area into an overlook and observation tower all at an estimated cost of $84,800.00. The renovation of the silo never materialized.

The Phase I and II renovation work of the barn began in 1981 and continued into 1982. The renovated area consisted of the lower level to house a meeting room, kitchen area, restrooms, work room, and dark room. The second floor was renovated into a display and an office area. The renovation work was completed by the October 10, 1982 Grand Opening and Dedication.

Phase III renovation work began in 1985-86 with a feasibility report of the renovation of the loft area of the structure into a meeting room with the installation of an elevator and construction of an outside ramp both for handicap accessibility. The Phase III work was completed in April, 1991 at a total cost of $152,605.00. This work was funded with monies from the DMCCB REAP allotment and monies from the Des Moines County Conservation Foundation through a grant from the John H. Witte Foundation.

Other improvements made to the preserve/park area include: 1) five foot bridges constructed on the Rossiter Trail in 1984-85; 2) construction of an amphitheater behind the nature center in 1984-85; 3) construction of a shelter house in 1987-88; 4) installation of Burlington water during 1989-90; and 5) the paving of a 6 ft. wide portion of the existing trail to allow for handicapped accessibility in 1994 and a section from the parking lot to the beginning of the trail in 1995. The final phase of the trail, scheduled to be completed soon, will loop from g the parking lot, west to the handicap accessible water fountain, past the amphitheater to the beginning of the trail.

In 1989, the Department of Natural Resources purchased 41.5 acres from Mrs. Wilma Groe as an addition to Starr’s Cave Park and Preserve. This area lies adjacently on the west boundary of the original area. A new 25-year management agreement, incorporating the entire 184-acre area into the document was approved by the DMCCB, the Des Moines County Board of Supervisors, and the DNR in late 1989. This management agreement runs through December, 2014.