ARNOLDS PARK, Iowa (Iowa Media Wire) — Summer is the busiest time of the year at the Iowa Great Lakes, but crowds are smaller so far this year and high water is at least partly to blame.
Many docks were wiped out by severe weather, including those at Arnolds Park, and since then high water has plagued activity on the lakes. A 5-mph lake speed limit is being enforced for the time being after being enacted in mid-June.
While many continue to drive to the communities at the Iowa Great Lakes, the CEO of Arnolds Park Amusement Park,
Jon Pausley, told Iowa Media Wire 9 that wake rule has impacted the business.“They love coming down to the amusement park by boat, so we don’t see as much boat traffic. All our docks are gone. They all got wrecked in the storm. But there is a lot to discover up in this area and not just the Arnolds Park, but this region specifically that’s not out on the water,” Pausley said.
He added that it’s just the beginning of July and there are still two months until Labor Day weekend to salvage a decent summer.
“It’s certainly going to be a different summer, and it’s not going to be a bumper year. We’re not going to get a bumper crop this summer, but certainly everybody still wants to be out. People want to be around,” Pausley said. “People still enjoy coming down to concerts and music and everything else… We’re still going to have a good year.”
Pausley added that if the wake limit order continues into August, there is a possibility the dock at the park won’t be put back in until next season.
Arnolds Park Amusement Park opens at 10 a.m. every day of the week.