(Orleans)– Restoration of the historic archway and general improvements at Templar Park on the southwest side of Big Spirit Lake continues. John Smeltzer of the Spirit Lake Protective Association, which is overseeing the effort, says a significant part of the project was just recently completed…
“The board of directors authorized us to do a replica sign that basically replaces the original which is housed at the Dickinson County History Museum. Of course it’s made of brass or bronze and we were worried about theft if it got put back in place as the original, so we decided we’d put a replica in. It was done by Amy’s Sign Design down in Arnolds Park. She did a great job and the installation just occurred this week.”
He says it’s part of some long term plans they have to improve the Templar Park area. Smeltzer says another key component of that will soon be taking place…
“One of the things going at Templar Park this summer will be the installation of a brand new restroom facility by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources near the boat ramp area down there at the launch in the lagoon. So that’s happening, there will be some temporary road construction around the archway so that the two piece pre-cast concrete can come into the area, and hopefully there’s a chance that we might be able to use some of the temporary road that’s being created to do what we envision as creating an alternative pathway into the Templar Park area. Going through the archway itself is restrictive for larger equipment and some of the local residents have difficulty getting things that they need to get into and out of that area.”
He says most of the other work planned for the upcoming season consists of general maintenance…
“Including maybe painting and some of the woodwork being repaired and making sure that Spanish tile are all intact and are in good shape so they’ll be able to survive whatever kind of the next 100 years will bring for them.”
Smeltzer says some longer term projects at Templar Park could include construction of some historic kiosks and a trail head. Meanwhile, he says their fundraising campaign continues through a variety of means…
“One of them was the work that was done by Meredith Speikerman for, as a donation SLPA a few years ago, which was a limited edition artwork and we sold the original but the owner and the purchaser of the original actually allowed us to recreate it as a limited edition 100 copy numbered and signed document that we’re raising about $10,000 through the sale, so that’s available through Spirit Lake Protective Association.”
Donations for the Templar Park Archway Restoration Project can be sent to SLPA, Box 51, Spirit Lake. They may also be made here.
