(Atlantic, Iowa) – A group of local outdoor enthusiasts aim to restore native prairie grasses and make improvements to various aspects of the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department sites. Long-time Atlantic Parks Advocate Frank Saddlemire spoke with the Parks and Rec Advisory Commission Wednesday evening. One of the projects he would like to see worked on, is the boat ramp from Lake number 2 at the Schildberg Recreation Area.

That area was included in a controlled burn Wednesday. Saddlemire said the second project he’s interested in seeing improved, is the Butterfly Gardens at the Schildberg Rec Area. The current Butterfly Garden is located in the middle of the park.

Frank Saddlemire (Yellow shirt) speaks with the Atlantic Parks & Rec Advisory Board (3-26-25; Ric Hanson-photo)

He says the only money involved in the project is re-bar, to secure the railroad ties into the ground. Signage could be included that mentions which group or organizations are responsible for maintaining the gardens. The third project Saddlemire is interested in, is returning Schildberg’s to a wildlife prairie, because “Conservation is education.” Frank said he’s spoken with Cass County Conservation Department Executive Director Micah Lee and Nick Thompson, Iowa Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist for Cass County, about wiping out the Brome Grass, burn the weeds off and seed it with native prairie grass.

The benefits include a larger variety of birds and insects.

He says it also saves the taxpayers money by saving time and using manpower for mowing.

He said it also benefits the City in the form of it being a tourism site. The Advisory Committee took the information Saddlemire presented under consideration.