Winneshiek County Conservation will hold the grand opening of the Neste Valley Recreation Area to the public on Saturday, April 11^th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend special events including the ribbon cutting, guided tours, and family/kids activities. Parkgoers can even walk a portion of the Dry Run Trail that meanders through the newly opened park!

Located between Calmar and Decorah at 2236 Neste Valley Road, Neste Valley sits on a historic homestead, one of the first Norwegian settlements in Winneshiek County. The park features 170 acres of prime wildlife habitat such as prairies, woodlands, oak savannas, and wetlands. Neste Valley offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities including mowed hiking trails, picnicking areas, and wildlife watching sites.

Potential for future additions to Neste Valley abound. Plans include a trailhead for the Dry Run Trail, an 8-mile paved trail linking the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail and Trout Run Trail, as well as a campground with electric hook-up sites and a shower house.

Neste Valley is named in honor of former property owners, Ingrid Neste, Mary Neste, and Michele Stefanick, who collaborated with Winneshiek County Conservation and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation to conserve the land for its environmental and cultural importance in Northeast Iowa.

For more information, please contact the Winneshiek County Conservation Board at (563) 534-7145. To support future projects at Neste Valley Recreational Area, visit www.winneshiekwild.com/wcf