As part of the Iowa City Public Library’s Adult Summer Reading Program, members of the Bur Oak Land Trust will be leading a walking tour of Big Grove Preserve, an 80-acre woodland adjacent to the Coralville Reservoir off Sugar Bottom Road.
The preserve is part of the original "Big Grove" noted by the first settlers to describe Johnson County's landscape. The original 40-acre Big Grove was acquired by the Bur Oak Land Trust in 2004, while the second 40-acre addition was acquired in conjunction with the "Protect. Conserve. Grow" campaign in 2017. The preserve also neighbors Cangleska Wakan, a park managed by Johnson County Conservation, with several trails connecting both areas.
Due to limited parking, registration is required and is limited to 15 vehicles.
Directions: Preserve address is 3999 Starry Night Lane, Solon (approximately 10 miles or 22 minutes from downtown Iowa City). Take Prairie du Chien Rd NE north out of Iowa City to Newport Road. Turn right onto Newport Road and continue north to Sugar Bottom Road. Go left onto Sugar Bottom Road and continue to 245th St NE. Turn left onto 245th and continue past the Cangleska Wakan/Celebration Barn to Starry Night Road. Go left onto Starry Night Lane then onto Starry Night Court to the turn-around located at the entrance to the Preserve.
Parking on grass is allowed at entrance to the Preserve ONLY. Do not park on the street or in the turn-around. Please remember to wear sturdy shoes and bring bug spray and drinking water.
If you need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this event, please contact the Library.