Pikes Point State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pikes Point State Park |
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 Pikes Point State Park
Location in Iowa
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| Location | Dickinson, Iowa, United States |
| Area | 15 acres (6.1 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,444 ft (440 m) |
| Established | 1931 |
| Governing body | Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Pikes Point State Park |
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Pikes Point State Park Shelter and Steps
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1933 |
| Architect | Central Design Office, Ames |
| Architectural style | Rustic |
| MPS | CCC Properties in Iowa State Parks MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001675 |
| Added to NRHP | November 15, 1990 |
Pikes Point State Park is a cool place located southwest of Spirit Lake, Iowa, in the United States. It's a small park that sits on a piece of land sticking out into West Okoboji Lake. It's a great spot for families and friends to have a picnic, play at the playground, swim at the beach, or go boating and fishing on the lake. The park even has a special shelter that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its history and design!
Contents
A Look Back: Park History
Pikes Point became a state park in 1931. This means it was set aside for everyone to enjoy.
Building the Park: The CCC's Role
A group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped build many parts of the park. The CCC was a special program during the 1930s that gave jobs to young men. They worked on projects to improve parks and natural areas.
Company 778 of the CCC built the park's picnic shelter, steps, and walking trails. They also planted trees and plants. This work was finished by March 17, 1934. In 1936, Pikes Point State Park became part of Gull Point State Park's management.
Cool Structures: The Park Shelter and Steps
The park has a special picnic shelter. It's located at the bottom of a hill that leads down to the lake. This shelter is built in a style called Rustic architecture. This means it uses natural materials and designs to blend in with the surrounding nature.
Shelter Design and Features
The shelter has a back wall and side walls made from rough, uneven stones. In the middle of the back wall, there's a cozy fireplace. Two stone benches sit next to the fireplace.
Four big, round wooden posts hold up the timber roof. The roof sticks out about 7 feet (2.1 meters) in the back, creating more covered space. You'll find another fireplace there too! A stone patio behind the shelter connects to the hillside. It ends at a curved stone bench, perfect for relaxing.
The Stone Steps
South of the shelter, there's a set of 29 stone steps. These steps climb up the 25-foot (7.6-meter) hill. The way the shelter and steps are built is important. Their design, materials, and how they were made help them look like a natural part of the park.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Pikes Point State Park is a fantastic place for outdoor activities.
- Picnicking: There are great spots to enjoy a meal outdoors, including the historic shelter.
- Playground: Kids can have fun on the playground equipment.
- Swimming: The park has a swimming beach where you can cool off in West Okoboji Lake.
- Boating and Fishing: You can also go boating or try your luck fishing in the lake.
