(Radio Iowa) – A big celebration is planned for a central Iowa state park that is turning 100. Pete Hildreth of the Iowa D-N-R says things get underway today (Thursday). “Iowa D-N-R staff and members of the Friends of the Ledges will host a 100th anniversary kickoff event at the Boone City Hall Auditorium,” he says.  The park is near Madrid and has four miles of trails that include sandstone ledges that are 100 feet above the Des Moines River. That kickoff begins at 6 p-m.

“That event will be highlighted by a program on how Ledges became one of Iowa’s first state parks, as well as information and displays on events projects and changes coming to Ledges in 2024,” Hildreth says. He says everyone is encouraged to take part in the celebration. )”The Friends of the Ledges members will present details on how to get involved in the year-long celebration, as well as the creation of an endowment fund to help preserve the resources of the park in the next century,” he says.

The park also features several structures built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.