A Quick 48 Hours: Whiterock Conservancy, Coon Rapids, Iowa
Jennifer Drinkwater. Restoration, acrylic on wood panel, 12” x 12”, 2020.
I created this painting of twin white oak trees while an artist-in-residence at Whiterock Conversancy in Coon Rapids, Iowa. A 5500-acre, nonprofit land trust, Whiterock is actively restoring over 125 acres of Iowa’s once common and now endangered oak savanna ecosystem.
Artist-in-Residence farmhouse, Whiterock Conservancy, Coon Rapids, Iowa.
About a year ago, I lived in a lovely farmhouse as an artist-in-residence at the Whiterock Conservancy in Coon Rapids, Iowa. In 2019, Whiterock began hosting artists and scientists in residence. (What's an AIR? In a nutshell, it's a retreat for visual artists, writers, theatre-makers, and musicians to get a hold of themselves and make some work.)
Established in 2005, Whiterock Conservancy (WRC) is a 5500 acre non-profit land trust that balances sustainable agriculture, natural resource protection and public recreation on the landscape. Located near Coon Rapids, Iowa, along seven miles of the Middle Raccoon River valley, Whiterock Conversancy is open to the public every day for recreation and exploration. It's located in one of the darkest areas of Iowa, so stargazing is top notch here. I happily explored the 45 miles of hiking and mountain trails for three whole weeks.
I was real surprised to learn that this barn at Whiterock was a cornerstone of local community development back in the 1920’s and 30’s.
According to Liz Garst, “the Heater family lived here from 1926-1964, and struggled to make a living off the poor soils of this valley. Largely self-sufficient, they grew hay on high open ground, corn and pasture in the woodland openings, and their own fruit, vegetables, and livestock. During the Great Depression, the Heaters converted the barn into a dance hall and hired local musicians, charging 25 cents per person for Saturday night dances. A neighbor ferried townsfolk to the barn in a “Whiterock Special” Model T. The Heaters didn’t approve of alcohol, but the Riverhouse Barn became a good place to find Templeton Rye.”
Legend has it that the parties here were so wild that they led to many babies being born. A barn-baby-boom. The bathtub for chilling booze is still inside. :)
Incidentally, Whiterock is the largest private ecological restoration project in Iowa. The significance of having a such a large tract of restored land in Iowa is threefold:
1. Iowa is the most ecologically altered state in the US. Only 2% of Iowa’s landscape remains untouched.
2. Iowa is responsible for much of the runoff that damages the health of land, water, and communities downstream. (Ever heard of Cancer Alley among the Gulf Coast?)
3. Iowa has the least public land available for recreation in any state in the nation.
Where to Stay
Historic Garst Farmhouse, WRC
Log House, WRC
Woodland Carriage House, WRC
Betts Farmhouse, WRC
805 River Cabin, WRC
Oak Ridge RV Campground, WRC
Starfield Campground, WRC
River Campground, WRC
The Rookery Cottage, Coon Rapids
Whiterock Grounds Crew.
What to Do
Visit the Public Art Park in Coon Rapids.
Float down the Middle Raccoon River at Whiterock Conservancy.
Mountain bike on the 28 miles of trails. Understandably, there are very few mountain bike trails in Iowa.
Stargaze in some of the darkest skies in Iowa, Starfield Campground
Explore the Roswell and Elizabeth Garst Historic District, Coon Rapids
Bicycle or walk along the Riverside Trail, Coon Rapids
Black Lives Matter March, downtown Coon Rapids, Iowa. 2020.
What to Eat
Cady’s Coffee Shop, Coon Rapids
Chuck’s Bar and Grill, Coon Rapids
La Terraza Mexican Grill, Coon Rapids
Coon Rapids Country Club
Jennifer Drinkwater. Seep, acrylic on wood panel, 12” x 12”, 2020.
This is an image of a seep at Whiterock Conservancy in Coon Rapids, Iowa. What is a seep? Glad you asked. According to the WRC, "side hill seeps" hang on the side of a flood plain or in isolated ravines. Comprising only eight total acres at WRC (out of 5500), the seeps support the highest diversity of native species of any plant community on the property. Water seeping out of sandstone outcrops continually saturate soils at the base of the bluffs, forming this unique wetland community."
More Good Stuff
Want the condensed list? Download a free PDF of great ways to spend A Quick 48 Hours at Whiterock Conservancy.
Have suggestions of what to add to this list? I invite you to comment below.
Want to learn more about Whiterock Conservancy? Check out the WRC website for upcoming programming.
Plus! Looking for a few other off-the-beaten-path itineraries this year? Check out more places to spend A Quick 48 Hours:
