Park Facilities
The City of Collins's East park facilities are available to groups and citizens to reserve for family gatherings, group parties, picnics, meetings, or other events. For additional information, please contact the city clerk at (641) 385-2205.
We have three parks in our home town, all of which have playground equipment.
Park Hours are from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Lion's Park ~ located on 1st Street next to Parkview Apartments Partnership
Trailside Park ~ located on Railway Street next to the Softball Field
The West Park ~ located next to the Baseball Field
The trail is open year-round from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Currently, three segments of the trail are completed with crushed limestone surfacing. These segments are: Seven miles between Slater and Cambridge; Three miles between 663rd Ave.(one mile east of Maxwell) and 690th Ave. (one mile west of Collins); and, Four and one-half miles from 730th (two miles east of Collins) and Rhodes. The equestrian trail is mowed turf located adjacent to the limestone surface. Developed trailheads with water and bathroom facilities are available in Slater, Huxley, Collins, and Rhodes. Future plans include connecting the west trail portion to the existing Saylorville-Big Creek Trail in Des Moines and the east trail portion to the Chichaqua Valley Trail, making a 100-mile loop in central Iowa.
Along the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail, you will find:
- A trailhead and arboretum in Slater.
- Native Iowa prairie remnants.
- A pioneer cemetery and a historical museum in Maxwell.
- Wetlands with native flora and fauna.
- Hoy Bridge over Clear Creek near Rhodes
For road bikes, the best sections to ride are from Slater to Cambridge and two miles east of Collins to Rhodes. While the trail is surfaced for 3.2 miles between Maxwell and Collins, currently it is undeveloped from the Maxwell city park on First St. to the city limits (approximately one-half mile). The undeveloped trail is relatively flat in that area but has a dirt surface only. At 690th Ave. there is a break in the trail. We recommend taking the gravel north to 310th St. and then east into Collins. For off-road enthusiasts, the undeveloped trail between Cambridge and Maxwell offers great scenery and some challenges. Sections of the trail are very wet, others are very bumpy, but there is a lot of beauty to be seen in these areas.
Equestrian Use on the Trail
Horses are allowed on both the developed and undeveloped segments of the trail. On the developed sections, horses should stay on the mowed turf area adjacent to the limestone surface. The best trailer parking is available at Slater, Cambridge, Maxwell, Collins, and Rhodes. Huxley's trailhead does not accommodate equestrians; however, water and restroom facilities are available.
Snowmobiling Along the Trail
Snowmobiles are allowed on the trail when there is sufficient snow cover. All other motorized vehicles are prohibited.
Hunting and Trapping on the Trail
Sections of the trail in Story County are open to hunting and trapping during November, December, and January. These areas are from 520th Ave. to 535th Ave., from 560th Ave. to 580th Ave., from 597th Ave. to 640th Ave., and from 663rd Ave. to 680th Ave. The miles of trail adjacent to a city boundary are closed to hunting and trapping. All sections of the trail from 680th Ave. eastward are closed. This includes all sections of the trail in Marshall County. Please obey the signs posted at intersections and respect the rights of all users.
American Discovery Trail
The Heart of Iowa Nature Trail is part of the American Hiking Society's American Discovery Trail. This trail system passes through several metropolitan areas and incorporates many trails as it passes from the East to the West Coast of the United States. The ADT in Iowa begins at Council Bluffs and follows the Raccoon River Valley, Des Moines River Greenway, Heart of Iowa Nature Trail, Cedar Valley, and Hoover Nature Trails crossing the Mississippi at Davenport.