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Finkbine Prairie
Here is a convenient sampling of much of what was found here in the
Great Plains. Five moderately diverse plots of prairie remnants are
located in the area bounded by US-6, the Iowa Interstate Railroad, Mormon
Trek Blvd (1st Ave) and Hawkins Drive. If you are going (or have gone) to
visit the Mormon
Monuments
you drive right by the west end on Mormon Trek Blvd. This area is
maintained by the Sierra Club and they have provided us with an excellent
description with directions on how best to enjoy the area. You can view
their web site at Finkbine.
If you did not intend to visit the Mormon Monuments, follow the directions
given for that attraction and, when you cross US-6, turn left into the
Finkbine parking lot.
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in column 2)
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Reyerson's Woods
One of the best sites in the Iowa City area to view Spring's beautiful
prairie floral display is at Reyerson's Woods south of Iowa City. These 49
acres of woods, meadows and abrupt bluff have been improved with an
excellent system of trails, mostly easy loops, plus a staircase to access
the top of the bluff where a special, cantilevered viewing platform
enables spectacular sights. Best time to visit is when the leaves are
first beginning to appear on the trees in the area - usually mid to late
April.
Follow US-6, through Coralville and University Heights to the Iowa
City Municipal Airport at the intersection of US-6 withIA-1 and IA-921.
US-6 turns left here to cross the Iowa River. You go straight through on
IA-921 driving by the airport. About 2 miles from US-6Riverside Road (Old
Hwy 218) splits off at a slight angle to the right. A parking area is just
opposite this intersection at the base of the hill. (There is also a
picnic shelter here.)
This area is maintained by the Iowa City Parks and Recreation
Department. Much of the work on the trails, etc., was done by Iowa City's
Mayor's Youth Employment Program. The Sierra Club has provided us with an
excellent description of what we can see here along with directions on how
best to enjoy the area. You can view their web site at Reyerson.
The Parks and Recreation people can be reached at 1-319-356-5110.
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