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Tosanak Cabin Fund getting closer to the finish line

Adam Sears (left), director of Floyd County Conservation, presents a check to Joel Cannon (right), chair of the Tosanak Cabin fundraising committee. The check was for $2000 from the Farrer Endowment to build a modern cabin at the Tosanak Recreation Area near Marble Rock. Photo submitted
Adam Sears (left), director of Floyd County Conservation, presents a check to Joel Cannon (right), chair of the Tosanak Cabin fundraising committee. The check was for $2,000 from the Farrer Endowment to build a modern cabin at the Tosanak Recreation Area near Marble Rock. Photo submitted
By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

It’s not a race, but there is a finish line.

The effort by the Floyd County Conservation Board to raise $120,000 to build a four-season, family-sized log cabin is a big step closer to reaching its goal.

The Tosanak Cabin Fund has now reached more than 85 percent of its goal according to Joel Cannon, Floyd County Conservation vice president.

The 1,100-square-foot cabin will be fully furnished, handicapped-accessible and will feature three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The cabin will be built on a ridge overlooking the Shell Rock River in the Tosanak Recreation Area just outside of Marble Rock.

“The vision for Tosanak Recreation Area is to preserve and enhance Tosanak’s natural resources for the use and benefit of the public. This cabin project fits perfectly into this vision,” said Cannon.   

In August, the Floyd County Conservation Board voted to contribute $20,000 toward the project from its capital improvement fund. The Fossil and Prairie Conservation Foundation also voted to contribute $16,000 to help with the cabin. There was also a recent $2,000 grant received from the Farrer Endowment Foundation of Mason City.

Cannon also said that in the last two months, donations have been given by numerous individuals, businesses and civic organizations such as the Rockford Lions Club.

The Robert James Waller Estate donated $25,000 to the cabin fund in November of 2017. Waller, an author who died in March 2017, was born in Charles City and grew up in Rockford. Waller wrote the famous novel, “Bridges of Madison County.”

Cannon said that the cabin will attract more people to the Tosanak Recreation Area to showcase the area’s numerous amenities. Tosanak offers a number of hiking trails, access to the Shell Rock River, bird watching, picnicking and also the new indoor/outdoor recreation area that features basketball, ping pong and bag games.

“Visitation and usage has increased dramatically the last several years and a need was seen for this type of modern lodging,” said Cannon.

Cannon said that there will be recognition of donors with plaques in three different categories once the cabin is finished. Cannon said hopefully ground can be broken on the cabin this spring. 

Next year, the conservation department will be accepting online reservations in which people can reserve not only the modern cabin, but other lodging options that Tosanak offers. Tent, RV camping and rental of other rustic cabins on the ground will be able to be reserved.

Anyone interested in helping this project can contact Floyd County Conservation at 651-756-3490.

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