Sac City Recreational Trails

07/09/2026

Parks Board Update: Bark Park Progress and Ongoing Projects

At Tuesday night's meeting, the Sac City Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Board approved Bark Park rules and regulations, recommending them for city council consideration. The rules have already been reviewed by the city's attorney and insurance carrier. The park will operate on an honor system, with a volunteer sign up sheet planned for periodic maintenance walkthroughs, similar to a Meals on Wheels style rotation. Long term landscaping maintenance will eventually transition to the city parks department.

Once city council takes action at its July 14 and July 28 meetings, signage reading "Bark Park" will be produced through Iowa Prison Industries, with an anticipated opening in early August.

Bark Park progress to date:
Phase 1, fencing and concrete, is complete
Phase 2, waste stations, water fountains, benches, and picnic tables, is underway
Phase 3, agility equipment, is planned for the future

The board recognized the fundraising that has supported the project, including a can drive, a sponsorship memorial wall with plaques and sunshades, and proceeds from a recent wiener dog race.

Treasurer's Report-----

The board reviewed current account balances, including a foundation and state bank account balance of $14,667.31 and a tree fund balance of $530. City council recently approved payment of roughly $2,780 for bridge lumber from the city account, effectively zeroing out this fiscal year's city balance. The board discussed the possibility that a portion of this year's allotment may carry over, and that the city's allotment for the coming fiscal year may increase to approximately $6,000, though neither figure has been confirmed. Community Chest funds designated for the bridge project remain available within the foundation balance.

Other Park and Trail Projects-----

River cleanup crews cleared two obstructions from the river in mid-June.

Lumber has arrived for the Riverview Park walking trail bridges. Installation is pending drier ground conditions in the oxbow areas.

An engineer visited Chautauqua Park and Grant Park to begin site assessment work for future Raccoon River Trail engineering and grant preparation. The board discussed sharing GIS shape file data to support integration of river and trail planning.

The board is considering relocating several mature red oak trees from the tree farm to the primitive campground, with a possible equipment donation from Engle to assist with the work.

The board is looking into a windscreen for the South Park pickleball courts, with cost estimates of roughly $1,000 for screening material. Follow up conversations with players regarding wind concerns were planned for July 8.

Work continues on OHV Park trail development, tire removal, tree planting, and mapping efforts, pending resolved liability questions and contractor availability.

The board also discussed reviving the memorial bridge plaque fundraiser, including a paper order form to be published in the local newspaper, and began preliminary discussion of a future river crossing bridge project.

The board's next meeting is Monday, August 4, at 6:00 p.m.

02/01/2024

:o

New legislation attempts to restrict the state’s acquisitions in favor of making the land available to livestock producers.

12/08/2023

Big improvements coming to Sac Trails in 2024...

12/08/2023

Today, thanks to a local contractor, the Sac City Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Board successfully removed numerous trees that were obstructing the Raccoon River just north of Chautauqua Park. The last photo in the sequence is the "After" photo.

Trees we remove from the river eventually get turned into wood chips that will be used to line trails.

You can report river obstructions to the City of Sac City at 712-662-7593.

10/03/2023

10/02/2023

Huge progress on the new trail today.

Members of the Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Board spent the afternoon touring the site of the upcoming ATV Park with a gentleman who is an Off-road park expert.

Because they were all together anyway, Dylan, Steve, and Curtis jumped over a few blocks and cleared out the fallen trees and undergrowth on the new trail.

VIDEO: Dylan making "Chautauqua Trail" Bobcat wide.

09/15/2023

The Sac City Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Board is tackling the imminent loss of hundreds of trees in our community. This comes as welcome news.

USDA Sec. Tom Vilsack said unprecedented federal money will promote the planting and maintenance of new trees. His tour to get out the word about the spending began in a town still recovering from the loss of many of its trees.

09/06/2023

Key Conversations from the September 5, 2023 Sac City Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Board Meeting:

1. Public Forum / Communications:
- The North Raccoon River Nature Trail was discussed as very popular and consistently used.
- Concerns were raised about garbage accumulation on the west side of the river, potentially linked to drinking parties and illegal campouts.
- The possibility of hiring Prison Industries for summer help was considered, with the idea that trained workers could create trails.
- Riverside Campground's potential extension of the operating season was mentioned, contingent on generating positive revenue.
- It was noted that the Chautauqua Pavilion rebuild was almost complete, with plans for an official reopening ceremony in Spring 2024.

2. Review Proposed ATV Park:
- An environmental study regarding the proposed ATV park was mentioned, though no specific details were provided.

3. Board Members Were Encouraged to Visit the Location of the New Hiking Trail:
- A speculative discussion occurred on methods to transport equipment over washout sections of the trail, with no final design chosen.

4. Review of On-Street Trail Sign:
- Though work continues, this project is three years past due for completion.

5. Hundreds of Trees Expected to Die:
- Concerns were raised about the expected loss of hundreds of trees in the coming years, and a speculative conversation ensued regarding possible locations for a tree farm to grow replacements. No location was chosen.

08/24/2023

The Sac City Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Board would like to give out a huge THANK YOU to Jamie Lawrence, Tom Crabb and the rest of the City of Sac City Maintenance Department for acting quickly to remove the HUGE fallen trees that were blocking the Raccoon River Trail near the north entrance. It was not an easy task, and we deeply appreciate it.

The trail is totally open again! :)