Thanks for help on Palisades projectThe Friends of Palisades-Kepler State Park (The Pal) started a Trail Repair Fundraiser in the spring of 2023. The goal was to raise funds necessary to hire the Conservation Corp of Minnesota & Iowa to repair segments of Cool Hollow and Cedar Cliff Trails
Phase One of the project had two goals. One, widen and stabilize the surface of Cool Hollow that leads into the ravine in order to make the trail safer for hikers and first responders. Two, replace and stabilize the stairs leading north to the bluff on Cedar Cliff Trail.
Thanks to our corridor communities, Phase One work is complete and was fully funded by generous donations by several area businesses.
Equally important were donations received from individuals, whether via mail, the Friends CauseTeam fundraising page, or cash donations at Friends events.
Special thanks go out to the Cornell College football team. The team manually moved the 160lb fieldstone steps down Cool Hollow into the ravine. This reduced the cost of labor significantly. Note: The team quite cleverly slid the fieldstones down the slope on saucer sleds!
Thank you for supporting the Friends’ mission of funding projects to enhance the overall experience and safety at Palisades-Kepler State Park. The Friends could not have accomplished this without the support of the park’s corridor communities.
The Friends of Palisades-Kepler State Park
Letter to Editor Dec. 14
December 14, 2023