Winneshiek County Supervisors approve no parking zones near Chimney Rock and Malanaphy Spring

Two popular canoeing and kayaking put-ins and take-outs are getting new parking restrictions.  The Winneshiek County Board on Monday unanimously approved no parking zones near Malanaphy Spring and Chimney Rock.

This has been a popular time for canoeing or kayaking on the Upper Iowa River, but it has brought with it complaints about cars and trucks blocking driveways and causing congestion along several county roads.

While supervisors were able to approve the new parking regulations for two locations, they delayed action on a third location—the Daley Bridge.  Complicating the picture at that bridge is a driveway used by a neighboring farm owner to get access to his field.  County officials have discussed allowing canoeists and kayakers 10 minutes to park their vehicles when bringing their canoe or kayak out of the river, but the Thomases on Cattle Creek Road say that would create problems for their farming operation.  County supervisors scheduled a public hearing for Monday, July 13th, delaying action on any changes around the Daley Bridge.  The proposal to be discussed July 13th would have a "no parking" zone with 10-minute allowance for enforcement and a "tow-away zone" with vehicles getting towed if parked on the Thomas' driveway entrance.