NEW! Hacklebarney Woods All Inclusive Playground
On Monday, August 26th, 2024, the Montgomery County Conservation Board has voted to move forward with fundraising and the installation of a new, all inclusive playground at Hacklebarney Woods County Park. Through grant application, fundraising, donations, and community partnerships, our goal is to raise $55,000 to construct this playground by the new shelter, where the swings are currently.
Hacklebarney Woods County Park was hit by the devastating tornado that tore through southwest Iowa on May 21st, 2024. All of our buildings and structures, except for tornado shelters, were destroyed. Hacklebarney Woods is a 230-acre, native woodland tract that has historical significance to Montgomery County. This park has offered excellent fishing opportunity, multi-use, all weather trails (funding supported by friends of Hacklebarney trails), full hook-up campsites and electrical sites, equestrian campground with corals and other equestrian-related amenities, and a beautiful view of the eastern countryside. Since this tornado, our woodland canopy (treetops) has been destroyed, previously planted park trees have been up rooted, and the park has remained closed to the public due to inaccessible and dangerous hazards.
We are seeking funding in support of a new playground to re-open the park in April 2025. None of our parks have play equipment other than swings, and with the destruction this park sustained, a new all-access playground will shed a bright light on this park. This playground will be an equal access playground and have features for patrons with limited mobility to utilize the equipment. If funded, donations would contribute towards the physical equipment used to construct the playground and assist with installation costs. Once constructed, all donors and contributors will be honored with a leaf or engraved acknowledgement on our donor tree that will be displayed alongside the playground.
We have 64% of our fundraising goal achieved. Total project cost will be $55,000 ($46,389.80 for installation and equipment, plus funds for unexpected costs). If you or your organization are interested in donating, please call Cassandra Barbosa (naturalist) at our office (712) 623-4753 ext. 2, or email her at cbarbosa@montgomerycountyia.gov.
CLICK HERE for more information about donation tiers and Hacklebarney Woods.