Public Invited to Ada Hayden Celebration!

AMES, Iowa - In recognition of the 20th anniversary of Ada Hayden Heritage Park, 5205 Grand Ave., the public is invited to a birthday celebration at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the park's north shelter. The event, hosted in partnership with the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park (FAHHP), will include brief remarks from Ames Mayor John Haila, former Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco, FAHHP Board President Jim Pease, and Ames Director of Parks and Recreation Keith Abraham.

Following the presentation, cake and ice cream will be served. A FAHHP board member will also lead a walk around the park.

In 2001, Ames citizens approved a bond to help fund the purchase of 460 acres of land surrounding and including Hallett's Quarry in north Ames. In 2004, this property was developed into Ada Hayden Heritage Park. The park features a fishing dock, a ramp for electric-only and non-motorized boats, 3.2 miles of hard-surface pathway, 1.7 miles of crushed-rock paths, restrooms, a pedestrian bridge, a shelter, and lakes that total 1.2 billion gallons of water. To ensure water quality, wetlands and prairie grasses were planted to filter the water.

The park was named after Ada Hayden, first woman and fourth person to receive a Ph.D. from Iowa State College, now Iowa State University. Hayden was born in Ames and graduated from Ames High School before attending college, where she studied botany. Hayden was an early advocate of prairie preservation and her lifelong studies in conservation earned her many professional achievements.

The Parks and Recreation Department manages 40 parks and offers approximately 200 athletic, aquatic, instructional, and wellness programs. For more information, go to the Parks and Recreation homepage at www.amesparkrec.org or call the Community Center at 515.239.5350.

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