Quarry Springs Park buzzing with visitors

A surge to spend more time outdoors has lead to Quarry Spring Park seeing an increase in traffic the past few months. Offering people a place to relax and enjoy all nature has to offer, Quarry Springs is drawing crowds to the park, many for the first time.

“We have been really busy this year. COVID has definitely picked things up for not just our park but I think all parks and anything recreational,” Colfax Park and Auxiliary Board Vice President Doug Garrett said.

With the campgrounds open, people are taking advantage of an area to get away and out of the house while still keeping a distance and control over their accommodations. The park has been booked more than in previous years, showing people still want to go and do, just with social distancing in mind.

Along with fishing and hiking, the park has seen an increase in kayaking with Quarry Springs Outfitters showing increase rentals and purchases.

“Kayak rentals are way up, sales are way up ... You can’t find a kayak to buy hardly,” Garrett said.

New recently is the opening of a road to the east side of the park. By opening the road, people can see more of the park, have a larger area to fish and hike and have a viewing spot for the osprey.

“That has been well received with lots of people there all the time parking and fishing,” Garrett said.

License plates from all over central Iowa can be seen at the park, which made expanding the open area even more important for the board.

“It’s a city park that is open to everyone and glad to have them. We just ask that they follow the rules and clean up after themselves,” Garrett said.

A great place to have an outdoor adventure, people and hike, fish, kayak, camp and more at Quarry Springs. While the list goes on of activities available at th epark, swimming is still not allowed on the grounds.

“It’s a good mix. What we offer is what people need right now ... We are just kind of in the right area for a lot of people to utilize it,” Garrett said.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com