Campers who visit Iowa State Parks can read about the progress toward a campsite reservation system on the Internet at www.exploreiowaparks.com. The campground reservation information is under the special projects category on the park menu and will be updated as new information is available.

The website outlines work and research already completed, and identifies issues facing the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in order to create one centralized reservation system for all state park campgrounds and cabins. Sherry Arntzen with the State Parks bureau is coordinating the effort for the DNR and said she hopes people use the site to keep up to speed with project of this size.

"Creating a centralized reservation system is a large undertaking as well as a new concept to many Iowa state park visitors," Arntzen said. "We hope this website will keep the public informed on the progress of the project and provide an avenue for additional input during the development of the system."

Visitors to the website can view the 2004 camper survey results, written comment themes and DNR responses, surrounding state visits, campground reservation issues and decisions to be made, and the reservation committee make up. Another feature on the website is an e-mail address where people can provide their feedback on the project's progress and direction.

"We hope people use the site to see the work that has been done, the direction we would like to go and what issues that need to be addressed for the system's development," Arntzen said.

The parks bureau is planning to host seven public meetings throughout the state in June to talk about the progress of the system and get public feedback. The centralized reservation system will be launched in time for the 2006 recreation season.

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