COLFAX — Two major steps were taken Monday night by the Colfax City Council to ensure a proposed outdoor recreational complex at the former Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. gravel and sand quarry stays on schedule.
The council unanimously approved a 28E agreement between the Colfax Auxiliary Parks Board and the city in which Colfax would obtain ownership of the property while park operations would be conducted by the 501(C)3 nonprofit. The council also approved annexation of the 500-acre gravel quarry at 1208 Highway 117 S.
Talks about the proposed park became public in November of last year after mining operations by the current owner ceased and the company agreed to donate the land — just south of Interstate 80 and valued at roughly $1 million — to the City of Colfax.
Auxiliary park board president Doug Garrett addressed the council Monday prior to the votes and said the city is still scheduled to officially take ownership of the former quarry April 20. The nonprofit group has been working with the city and its insurance providers to draft a liability waiver for volunteers who work at the future rec area, and Garrett said he wants to meet with law enforcement and city leaders about further safety measures before the park opens to the public.
“We do want to get with the mayor and (police) chief, sit down and update the parks’ ordinances. Some would be in reference to the things we have out (at the quarry),” Garrett said. “But I still think there are some things that need to be dealt with in all (Colfax) parks.”
The auxiliary park board has been working with the Iowa State University’s school of landscape architecture and in February displayed initial conceptual ideas for park landscaping. The board hopes to initially open the park to RV and tent camping and fishing, but a time line for public use has not been announced by the board.
Contact Mike Mendenhall at mmendenhall@
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