(Spirit Lake)– Iowa’s newest state park was dedicated yesterday in the Iowa Great Lakes.
The Elinor Bedell State Park is located on the east side of East Lake Okoboji…just east of Spirit Lake. Al Farris of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources told a crowd of several hundred people this is the first new state park to be dedicated in Iowa in 27 years.
Land for the park was donated to the state by Elinor and Berkley Bedell…a former congressman and founder of a Spirit Lake company that makes fishing line.
The Elinor Bedell State Park also contains a playground built in memory of Shelby Duis…the Spirit Lake two-year-old who’s life ended tragically after months of abuse. A dedication for that facility was also held yesterday. Money for the playground was raised by the Spirit Lake Rotary Club.
