Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve — Attraction in Centerville

Due to a mild case of cabin fever, I decided it would be a good idea to shake out some cobwebs and go for a brisk walk on this blustery January day. As I searched the region for suitable trails on which to walk, the Rice Creek Park Reserve seemed to fit most of my criteria; it was a park, it was large, and it presumably had trails on which to walk.

So I set out, hopes high and jacket zipped, in anticipation of viewing interesting wildlife in its native habitat. As I entered the park, I noticed that most of the trails, parking areas, and signs that would normally be present in warmer seasons were nowhere to be found. As this was my first visit to the park, I quickly became disoriented and decided that perhaps I should turn back and find some other place to hike. Amid this confusion, I somehow managed to turn my car down an unmarked, but plowed trail. As this was one of the few areas that was actually plowed, I figured this would be a suitable means for finding an exit to the park. After some time, I realized that this was in fact a trail meant for hiking (not cars) and in a panic decided to drive through the unpaved parking lot back to the main road.

This did not go well. I misjudged the depth of the snow, as there was an unseen curb that dropped several inches from the trail to the parking area. As soon as a I hit the snow in my 2004 Honda Civic, I immediately realized what a terrible mistake I had made. I tried to reverse my car out out the snow and back onto the trail to no avail, and after several minutes of reversing, driving forward, spinning my tires, and repeating the process with little progress, a large snow plow drove by. I waved rather sheepishly. He gave me a puzzled look, and drove on. Perhaps a more frantic wave would have better expressed the severity of my predicament.

After about 15 more minutes of unsuccessful backing up and digging with my ice scraper (no shovel in the trunk), I made the short trek back the visitor center, where I happened upon a Ranger named Jim, who informed me that he had received a call from the plow driver about a tiny car trapped in a pile of snow, and he had come out to investigate. Jim graciously and non-judgingly drove his truck back to my car and helped me push it and my dumb self out of the snow and back onto the trail.

Though I never actually found or hiked on any of the trails, I'm sure it is a great place to visit. I cannot thank Jim enough for helping me, and I will surely be back in...

My husband and I came here to do some fishing. Although the fishing itself was enjoyable, and the views were very pretty, I couldn't have anticipated such disgusting restrooms and porta-potties. I tried the latter near the dock first, only to find urine covering the entire seat. I didn't think it was a huge deal, because some people are gross and you can't expect them to be constantly cleaned. Figuring I might have better luck elsewhere, I headed over to the actual restrooms by the beach. Fecal matter was covering the floor in 2 of the 3 stalls, and urine had made its way onto each of the seats as well. Especially considering the fact that you must pay to fish there, you'd think they'd try to keep it at least somewhat clean. Having one porta-potty out of commission due to a single recent slob is one thing. Being unable to take a piss anywhere due to what is quite obviously a complete lack of care from the staff is another thing entirely. I wish I had brought my phone for picture evidence of this....

(I will be staying again)I stayed there with my children last night and it was so fun there were a lot of children you could hear laughing and riding bikes it was a great atmosphere!!! a lot of the other campgrounds we go to old people looking at you if your kids make a noise kids are kids and they should laugh and play and learn this place was fun and it had a great playground my kids didn't want to leave the beach is beautiful I was a little grossed out by the goose poop in the water but hey it's nature :-) I had a great campsite #39 no electricity but it was the best one I thought lol I drove through the camp and they had a lot of great sites not to close to each other and some that were !!!! and the lady who works there was wonderful she has a job to do and she does it follow rules and there will be...