‘Newton’s greatest lost secret’

On the southern edge of Newton, tucked away on South 13th Avenue East, is a treasure yet to be discovered by the masses — 30 Acre Park.

The park is near the Community Heights Alliance Church. The Newton Parks and Recreation department, along with the Newton Park Board and volunteers, have been working on developing the park to reach the area’s full potential.

A private group calling themselves 30 Acre Park Riders is starting an initiative to bring more people to the park.

Heading up the effort is Marc Jackson, who has been on the Newton Park Board for three years. Jackson is passionate about 30 Acre Park and its development into an outdoor recreation destination in Newton. He has been working on developing mountain biking and hiking trails at one of the hidden gems of the park system.

“(I have been) developing mountain bike trails, outdoor running trails or walking trails, multi-use trails. Whether you want to run or mountain bike or you just want to do the walking or the nature hiking, that’s all available out there now,” Jackson said.

Jackson had all of these ideas to build the park into a mountain biking area, but he wanted help networking and getting the word out. So he teamed up with Joe Urias, owner of Mojo Cycling in Newton, to help extend his reach. Urias was happy to lend a hand to help boost the attendance at one of Newton’s lesser known parks.

“I think it’s Newton’s greatest lost secret. I really do,” Urias said.

Using both of their connections, Jackson and Urias are hopeful enough people will hear about the park and want to try it out. One of Urias’ main goals is to help build the biking community.

“I would like to see more people riding bikes and getting healthy or even walking and getting healthy. This park is just like a lost secret out there. It’s beautiful out there. There’s a lot of animals and deer. There’s a nice walking path. So if we develop a biking path out there as well it will be really good,” he said.

Jackson has been working to establish challenging and unique trails that will satisfy the off-road biking enthusiasts. Urias said his main focus right now is the media side of things. He set up the 30 Acre Park Riders Facebook page to get the information out there and boost awareness for what the group is trying to establish.

The first thing the 30 Acre Park Riders are doing is organizing a bike or walk night at the park. The plan is to host an event at least once a month, potentially more as interest in the park grows. The inaugural bike ride was supposed to begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, but due to the rain in the forecast the event will most likely be postponed to the following Thursday, May 16.

With the trails still being fully established, official signage hasn’t been posted. Jackson said if anyone interested in riding, running or walking the trail isn’t able to make one of the set riding nights, they can contact him through the group’s Facebook page, and he’d be happy to give people a tour of the trails.

Jackson and Urias have been working with the City of Newton and the parks department during this whole process. Parks superintendent Nick Cummins, public works director Jody Rhone and community services manager Brian Laube have given “their blessing,” Jackson said.

“I’m very thankful for (their support),” he said.

Both Jackson and Urias have met with Cummins and Rhone to discuss their ideas for the park. Cummins said there have been extensive plans developed by the University of Iowa graduate students but those will take time to incorporate. He said what the 30 Acre Bike Riders organization aims to do is a good place to start.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to boost attendance at all of our parks. It seems like the forgotten park. A lot of people don’t even know its there. It’s beautiful piece property, and I think this one of the better ways to get new people. I think this will actually bring in out-town-folks as well. It’s really positive,” Cummins said.

Both Urias and Jackson have discussed with Cummins and Rhone the need of a bridge to connect the east and west portions of the park. Right now, a creek splits the park with no easy way to cross. The hope is, as the park gains popularity, a pedestrian bridge can be built.

“It’s just one step at a time and hopefully at the end of the day we can help promote our community a little bit more,” Urias said.

Jackson hopes 30 Acre Park becomes a destination for Newton residents and mountain biking enthusiasts from around the state. He hopes as more people discover the park, more people will want to help bring the park to its fullest potential.

“Once we get the place ridable, we get any local people out here that are interested. If you get 5-10 people, well then there’s your helpers when you need volunteers to help take care of the place,” Jackson said.

Check the 30 Acre Park Riders Facebook page for more information and for all upcoming events.

Contact Pam Pratt at 641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or pampratt@newtondailynews.com