All about the Scotch Ridge Center

>New developments at The Scotch Ridge Center link<

What started out as a desire to make good use of our low-lying flood plain has expanded into a community center for environmental education, recreation, cultural celebration and historic preservation, this coupled with economic development will create a unique "Gateway" development along Highway 5 between the US Hwy 65/69 Bypass and the City of Carlisle "The Natural Choice".

Our physical location is where US Highway 5 crosses the North River, approximately 3 miles west of its confluence with the Des Moines River. Because the most recent glacial activity in Iowa stopped just short of North River, the hills and valleys and watersheds in Warren County are especially well suited to a quality environmental development.

The river valley in this area is unique because it consists of a transect of the remnants of four distinct native ecosystems: a riparian wetland and woodland, an upland prairie and an oak savannah, all located within a distance of 2,500 feet. The combination of such distinct ecosystems in such close proximity to each other is extremely rare.

When the key components of this project are linked together we anticipate that the interim size of Scotch Ridge Center will be an area of over 300 acres. It is likely to be expanded as additional wetland mitigation interests develop.

A series of recreational trails are proposed, connecting the Scotch Ridge Center to the new Summerset State Park and the Polk County Easter Lake Park. This gives our project regional importance. Additional trails will be connected up to the project along North River and through the Scotch Ridge Center along with adjacent US Corp of Engineers property creating an extensive system for pedestrian, equestrian and recreation users.

Several Lakes and Vernal Ponds are planned for both the Scotch Ridge Center and US Corp of Engineers property, which will have campsites spaced around the wetland features. This area will be used for educational outreach programs such as student outings; recreation such as camping, hiking, horseback riding and cultural celebrations such as festivals, musical and theatrical events and historical reenactments.

The educational opportunities in combination with the recreational opportunities make this a unique project. We anticipate educational efforts, not only in the area of nature observation and outdoor skills, but also in efforts to promote conservation-based design throughout the state. The project will be connected by the trail system to the future Carlisle Middle School and to one of the state's first and most fully realized residential conservation communities, Hubbell Realty's Danamere Farms subdivision.

We believe that the Scotch Ridge Center will encompass many more ideas yet to be developed. We have a strong desire to aid in the recreational and economic development of Warren County.

Most of all we hope everyone enjoys their visits to our community and has a lot of fun!

Mission Statement:
"The Mission of the Scotch Ridge Center is to protect and improve the natural environment for present and future generations, taking into account the environmental, social and economic principles of sustainable development. We strive to look forward, beyond today's issues, to anticipate ways to advance our mission, to manage our environment through resource and environmental stewardship, technical innovation and responsible management. To continue to adapt our mission in response to changing opportunities so we may effectively manage our natural, human and historical resources, placed in our care for the benefit of the people of Carlisle, Iowa and visitors from around the world."

Vision Statement: We are striving to create a unique world-class destination that is exemplary in its portrayal of environmental protection and education, cultural validation and exploration, and historical resource approbation and preservation.

Guiding Values: We believe that people flourish in an open and supportive environment.
We respect all of our colleagues as individuals with important contributions to make to our overall goals. We encourage teamwork, discussion and debate to help make the best decisions. In all of our activities we are open to new insights and greater understanding of ways to improve our organization and ourselves. We do this by keeping abreast of new methods, practices and developments and incorporating them into our endeavors.

We see the Scotch Ridge Center as providing the strongest link of connectivity between
Polk and Warren Counties

When you travel from Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Marshal, Polk, Story or most other counties further north, east or west you must cross the Scotch Ridge to really enter Warren County. There are a few gems like Carlisle, Cumming and Norwalk first, and all of these "Villages" are closely connected with the Scotch Ridge area.

The Scotch Ridge will be identified as the "Celtic Cultural Corridor" for Central Iowa and as such becomes the launch pad for visitors, business and future residents of the Villages of Warren County.

Whether its current culture, history or life in rural America the Scotch Ridge captures these ideal resources and creates a tantalizing image for the visitor, business and future resident to go further and explore all of the beauty and wonder of our rural setting and the Villages of Warren County.

The Scotch Ridge begins at the Des Moines River and extends west through Warren County under the major arteries of Highway 5, 28, 65/69 and Interstate 35 as it further reaches into Madison County. Each of these major arteries is a point of contact with Scotch Ridge for thousands of daily travelers. After "Directional Tourism Signs" are erected every traveler will recognize where they are (as their vehicle makes an extra effort to climb the grade) and will be enticed to further explore the area.

Opportunities exist at the Scotch Ridge Center in Carlisle; at the intersection of Highway 65/69 and Scotch Ridge Road; on Hwy 28 in Prole; and in Bevington, Cumming and Martensdale to create "Roadside Kiosks" which can be loaded with information about the Scotch Ridge and "The Villages of Warren County".

On Interstate 35 at the Scotch Ridge there is an Opportunity for "Celtic Cultural Corridor" Identity Signs, "Directional Tourism Signs", and at Rest Areas to provide additional information and notoriety.

We should also identify the "St. Mary's - Indianola - Hartford Ridge" as well as the Lacona, Milo, Sandyville and New Virginia Ridges. Then we can paint a poetic picture of all "The Villages of Warren County" whether they enjoy a spectacular view from a ridge or are nestled in a quaint valley near/or along a fine stream; every place in Warren County is a "Great Place".

An inter-net search of communities in Warren County reveals the following Villages:
Ackworth, Beech, Carlisle, Churchville, Conger, Cool, Cumming, Ford, Greenbush, Hartford, Indian Ridge, Indianola, Lacona, Lakewood, Lawrenceburg, Liberty Center, Martensdale, Medora, Milo, New Virginia, Norwalk, Orillia, Palmyra, Prole, Saint Marys, Sandyville, Scotch Ridge, Spring Hill, Summerset, West Saint Marys and Wick. Also found Hartford, North American, Sunfield, and Western Acres Mobile Home Parks.

Rand Richardson

"with respect for the past and hope for the future" Scotch Ridge Center, Carlisle, Iowa