Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Elaine St. Clair

To the Editor:

Saturday, I attended the Grand Opening of the Neste Valley Recreation Area. The recreation area is the newest gem in Winneshiek County’s recreation facilities. There was a chilled wind and some rain that did not diminish an invitation to explore the beauty of the property. This opportunity for recreation is located less than five miles from downtown Decorah.

The new two-lane entrance road and camp sites laid out on a hillside are evidence of the completion of an early development phase. Future development of a playground, restrooms and a trail are described in phases. Completion of the Dry Run Bike Trail phase will connect Trout Run Trail in Decorah to the Prairie Farmer Trail between Calmar and Ridgeway.

A sight not in harmony with the rolling landscape was a display that included a yellow back-hoe that can clearly move a lot of dirt in a short time. Next to the heavy equipment was a large sign with an image of a pig with the words “NESTE VALLEY PORK” and “coming soon” in a background banner. It would be speculation to interpret the message of the heavy equipment and words. However, the smell of a pork production operation and an idyllic recreation area do not seem compatible.

May people who treasure the recreation gems of Winneshiek County be aware of developing actions near the Neste Valley Recreation Area.

Elaine St. Clair
Decorah