The campgrounds at Island Park in Adel have been closed indefinitely, with several factors contributing to the decision.

At their most recent meeting, the Adel City Council voted 4-1 to approve the suspension of camping services at the park, with Councilwoman Jodi Selby providing the dissenting vote. The action came at the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Board, and will last indefinitely as the City decides what the next step will be. The reasons for the closure began with a lack of a campground host, a position Parks and Rec has attempted to fill on several occasions with little luck.

Another factor was the damage done to the park last spring with the heavy flooding of the Raccoon River. With the south fork of the river a constant threat for flooding, the City is no stranger to the yearly overflow issues the adjacent park faces. However, last year’s flooding proved to be particularly damaging, and much of the park was closed for the majority of the spring while it was repaired. The City is still making repairs on the concrete and gravel roads in the area, nearly a year later.

Parks and Rec officials point out that though the camping services at Island Park have been suspended, the other attractions will continue to operate normally. Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to reach out to Adel City Hall at 515-993-4525.