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Iowa
City Mormon
Monuments
In the 1850s, this was the western terminus of the
Mississippi and Missouri Railway and, thus, the jumping off place for the
early pioneers on their way the the far West. Several parties of Mormons
congregated here while they organized their handcart companies on the
trek, by foot, to Great Salt Lake via the Oregon and Mormon Trails. There
is a small park and monument here, dedicated to these courageous people.
From I-80 eastbound, take exit 240 and head south on Hwy 965
(Coral Ridge Ave) to US-6. Turn left on US-6 and follow US-6 eastbound to
1st Ave (about 2.6 miles). Turn right and head south on 1st Avenue. Where
it crosses the tracks the avenue has been renamed Mormon Trek Blvd.
Continue south on Mormon Trek Blvd about 0.7 miles to Melrose Ave. Turn
left and next to the large concrete sports arena is the memorial park.
From I-80 westbound, take exit 242 and head south on 1st
Avenue to US-6 (about 1.0 miles from the exit ramp on the south side of
the Interstate). Cross US-6 and continue south on 1st Avenue. Where
it crosses the tracks the avenue has been renamed Mormon Trek Blvd.
Continue south on Mormon Trek Blvd about 0.7 miles to Melrose Ave. Turn
left and next to the large concrete sports arena is the Mormon Memorial
Park.
No office or phone number for the Mormon Memorial Park but you can
get information from the Visitors' Bureau which you pass by (on your
right) as you are driving south from exit 242. Phone 1-319-337-6592.
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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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.
Eastbound traffic on I-80 use exit 242 and take 1st Ave
south to US-6 and turn left on US-6. Follow US-6 to the Iowa City
Municipal Airport at the intersection of US-6 with IA-1 and IA-921. US-6
turns left here to cross the Iowa River but you go straight through on
IA-921 driving by the airport. About 2 miles from US-6, Riverside 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.)
Westbound traffic on I-80 use exit 246 and follow IA-1 (Dodge Street)
south into Iowa City. At Burlington Street IA-1 makes a left to follow
Burlington Street across the Iowa River. Just over the bridge IA-1 meets
US-6. Turn left and follow US-6 south to the Iowa City Municipal Airport
at the intersection of US-6 with IA-1 and IA-921. US-6 turns left here
to cross the Iowa River but you go straight through on IA-921 driving by
the airport. About 2 miles from US-6, Riverside 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.)
Reyerson's Woods 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. |
