Recent flood damage to the Schildberg Recreation Area was not as bad as feared. Interim Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Director Bryant Rasmussen told the Parks and Rec Board Monday evening, that “We went out there today expecting the worst, and it wasn’t quite as bad as what we were originally thinking.”

Rasmussen said some fencing was knocked down by flowing ice and water at the Schildberg Dog Park, and will have to be replaced. About one-third of the chain-link fencing was destroyed and some poles bend over. The damage is estimated at $10,000 to $12,000. Officials will see if a grant is available to help reimburse the costs for replacement fencing, dependent upon a State of Iowa Disaster Declaration for Cass County.

Parks Board 3-18-19

He said also, “The docks are separated. The small dock over by the Rotary Shelter is free-floating, so we’ll have to fish that one back out. The big dock is up on the shoreline. The cement pillars that were holding it in place have been ripped-out, so we will have to go out and assess what we will have to do with that one.”

Fortunately, he said “All of our trails are intact. All the rip-rap held up, so it’s just going to [involve] routine cleaning after the flooding.” He did say that a portion of a walking trail off of Iowa Avenue had part of the soil sediment ripped out on the back side, which will have to be replaced, but the trail is still there. The trail up to the new bridge is fine, just a little muddy right now. The Atlantic Little League Park also survived without any major damage.

Rasmussen said the park will be opened-up as soon as possible, once all the inspections are complete. Parks Advisor Roger Herring said the best part was there there was no structural damage to the levies around the Schildberg Parks lakes. On a related note, the Schildberg Park Campground Area is tentatively expected to open April 1st, weather permitting.

In other business, the Parks Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nishna Valley YMCA, for Sunnyside Swimming Pool Director Chelsie Huddleson. The agreement calls for an increase in pay for Huddleson, who has served as Pool Director for the past two-or-three years. Her pay was frozen last year, due to budget reasons. Rasmussen says she “Runs a tight ship, and is good for the pool and making sure things get done properly.”

He said also, the Sunnyside Ice Rink is closed due to the warm conditions, and the roads to the Park are still closed, but the park gates remain open. The roads to the park will re-open, Rasmussen said, when the long-term forecast shows no chance of snow. The Atlantic Parks Board will next meet during a special session at Noon on April 1st, to review and act on bids for the Schildberg Shelter House.