Page 11 - RAGBRAI2011

IOWA VALLEY SCENIC DAY 7 - CORALVILLE TO DAVENPORT

BYWAY
On Day 6, the route will follow a small portion
of the Iowa Valley Scenic Byway, which connects
the National Historic Landmark seven villages of
the Amana Colonies, to the only remaining trib-
ally owned lands in Iowa, the Meskwaki Nation
Settlement. The Byway stretches for 77 miles
following a picturesque stretch of the meander-
ing Iowa River.

CORALVILLE’S EDGEWATER WETLAND PARK

Just a few years ago, Coralville’s Iowa River Landing area looked much different
than it does today. Before, it was a low lying industrial ‘brownfield’ area, prone to
annual flooding. Now you are able to look out from the new Coralville Marriott’s ter-
race and view a beautiful wetland park. Prior to the hotel’s construction on that spot
in 2006, the Office of the State Archaeologist excavated a prehistoric Native Ameri-
can camp site along the Iowa River in 2004, pulling out over 15,000 artifacts. After
excavations, EarthView Environmental, LLC took the reins and conducted wetland
delineation, and developed a mitigation plan for the site. Today, Coralville’s Edgewa-
ter Wetland Park consists of a stunning 2 acre pond and 4 acres of wetland sitting
adjacent to the new hotel, in an eloquent balance between the modern and natural
worlds.

Archaeological excavation at Edgewater Completed wetland and new hotel at Edge-
Park prior to wetland development. water Wetland Park in Coralville.