Featured member event: Kent Park kayaking

In early June, TRAIL’s Social and Educational Programs Committee organized a kayak expedition for TRAIL members who were feeling adventurous. Led by Kristen Morrow, a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) education specialist and two of her colleagues, the group spent a blissful hours paddling the 27-acre lake.

On that perfect summer day, the lake was pristine. Seven historic bridges have been relocated from the Iowa countryside to the park. Several form welcoming entrances to shady coves around the lake. On one side of a kayak, you find miniature highrises—water plants stretching 20 feet from the lake floor to the surface. On the other side, lily pad suburbs spread toward the shore.

The group traveled in good company. Small schools of tiny bass, bluegill, and crappie darted below and hawks and herons sailed above. An irascible turtle made a quick exit.

Named for a local photographer and birder, Frederick Wallace Kent, the 1,062-acre park is the largest area owned by Johnson County Conservation (JCC). In recent years, JCC has worked hard to restore the original hill prairie. Depending on the time of year, you’ll find Virginia Bluebells, Wild Geranium, Wild Blue Phlox, Trout Lily, Purple Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Wild Bergamot, and Tickseed Sunflowers, on view from the lake as well as the trails.

Of special interest to kayakers, the lake represents an impressive environmental success story. Recognizing that phosphorus from nearby farm runoff and excessive sediment were destroying the water quality, the JCC purchased adjacent farmland, dredged and redesigned the lake, planted over 30,000 aquatic plants, and enhanced fish habitat.

The TRAIL “yakkers” could not be more grateful. They’ll happily don their sunscreen and life jackets,  roll themselves into the kayaks kindly provided by the DNR, and  paddle their way through the sunlit peace of Kent Park’s lake when the waterlilies bloom again.

Want to become a TRAIL member and join the flotilla next summer? Visit our Membership page to learn more!