Arnolds Park, Iowa — A recent soil sampling conducted at Arnolds Park Amusement Park uncovered an unknown issue behind the seawall along the lakefront. Workers given the task of getting samples behind the seawall found that soil under the sidewalk had washed away over the years leaving a gap between the sidewalk and the ground.
Given the variety of traffic including motorized and pedestrian, the park has taken the precaution of closing off the sidewalk from Lake Street to the new cul-de-sac on Zephyr Street on the west end of the amusement park property.
Jeff Vierkant is the CEO of Historic Arnolds Park, Inc., and he says safety is always their top priority, so they proactively closed those sections of the sidewalk as they assess the repair options. Vierkant says they are pleased to have found the issue through the soil sampling, and before any potential accident might have occurred. He says the Park is now in the process of finding the best solution for the problem and getting it fixed. Engineers are being consulted to see what options exist, according to Vierkant.
The samples were being taken to see if there was another wall under the reconstructed wall and ensure the structural integrity of the boardwalk ahead of the Imagine Iowa Great Lakes group’s significant investment in that area. Jill Harms is President of the HAPI Board of DIrectors, and she says her group is so grateful that this was found. Without the improvements going on at the park, this problem could have gone unnoticed for years and could have resulted in an accident, according to Harms.
Historic Arnolds Park is asking for the public’s cooperation and understanding as they complete the assessment and repair of the seawall.
