In other parts of the state people may go, "Wayne County? Where's that?"  Wayne County residents then kindly explain that it's in extreme south central Iowa, and when asked what Wayne County has, most of them probably just shrug their shoulders. Wayne County may be small and easy to overlook, but it's a jewel in the rough and has a lot to offer.

    
The Wayne County Conservation manages the five parks in Wayne County as well as Medicine Creek Wildlife Area, a thousand acre area of public hunting and fishing. Many people make use of these parks every year, especially when one of the local towns is having a celebration, Seymour and Corydon Old Settlers, Watermelon Days in Humeston, and the Allerton World Fair are a few examples.

     
Conservation also has a growing Environmental Education program that offers many programs throughout the year.  The prairie is home to many species of prairie plants such as Big Bluestem, switch grass, partridge pea, prickly ash (or toothache tree), as well as two species of rare orchid ladies' tresses orchid and bottle gentian.  bobwhite is also home to many species of birds and animals like the Red-headed Woodpecker and bobcat.

    
The EE program also offers programs like the annual Halloween Hike, 4th Kids Fishing Derby, Lee fishing clinic, day camps and many others.  To learn more about the Conservation and the EE program you can sign up to receive the quarterly newsletter. The Bobwhite Brief, free of charge.  Simply call 641-873-4670, leave your name and address and request to be on the mailing list.

    
Another way to learn a little more about the parks here in Wayne County is to visit mycountyparks. com.  This website features all the county parks, campgrounds, and activities here in Iowa.  To view Wayne County's page simply move your mouse over the counties tab on the top left of the page, then move your mouse over to Wayne and click.

    
Take the time to visit Wayne County, it may just become your favorite weekend getaway!
 

    
Richard B. Siegrist Jr., president and CEO of Press Ganey, noted, "We are proud partners of Wayne County Hospital. Wayne County Hospital continues to maintain a superior level of patient satisfaction over the past three years. Their efforts benefit their community and have led to improved delivery of health care."

    
"Receiving the Press Ganey Summit Award is on outstanding accomplishment for the Wayne County Hospital and specifically for our Emergency Department.  Our organization initiated the Press Ganey patient satisfaction surveys in 2005.  It is gratifying to see our efforts have been recognized by a national organization but more importantly, through the eyes of our patients. These outstanding Press Ganey scores demonstrate our commitment to quality patient care, "remarked Brian Burnside, CEO of Wayne County Hospital.

    
Press Ganey currently partners with more than 10,000 health care facilities, including over 40 per cent of U.S. hospitals, to measure the level of customer satisfaction and improve their quality of health care delivery. The company's databases are the largest in the Industry, and allow facilities nationwide to benchmark their results against peer organizations.

    
Wayne County Hospital recently complete a $7.25 million modernization and renovation project. This modern 25-bed acute care facility offers inpatient and outpatient care for the people of south central Iowa and northern Missouri. Among the specialized services provided Wayne County Hospital offers 24 hour Emergency Services, Dialysis, Digital Imaging, Obstetrics, Orthopedics, Inpatient and Outpatient Physical Rehabilitation Services. Wayne County Hospital remains committed to continue their mission of customer service excellence.  For more information please call 641-872-2260.
 

    
Many mouthwatering premiere products are for sale in the store, their own creamed honeys, such as blueberry honey, raspberry honey, or many other flavors, attractively packaged in a wide range of sizes, including miniatures.

    
Their pure homemade beeswax candles are long burning and sweetly fragrant.

    
Log Chain Apiary also sells bulk teas and individualized baskets.

    
Products from Log Chain Apiary are also sold at numerous fine shops around the state. Call to find out the closest source. If you have a retail shop and are interested in  selling their products give Ann a call.
     
Allerton is three miles west of Corydon on Hwy 2, then three miles south.

    
Log Chain Apiary, 204 N. Central Ave., P. O. Box 336, Allerton, Iowa 50008, phone 515-873-4119 or 877-564-2246.

As Wayne County’s only State park, Bobwhite State park offers an abundance of activities. This 390 acre park, with a 90 acre lake, has facilities for: hiking, picnicking, swimming, boating (restricted to electric motors only), camping, (you can even “pitch your tent” where 500 covered wagons camped on the original 1846 Mormon Pioneer Trail).

    
A Park Ranger is located at the park year round. More information can be obtained by calling the Ranger at (641) 873-4670.  Allerton is located 1 mile east of the park.

Corydon Lake Park
Located at the Corydon Municipal Reservoir, this 143 acre park has many varied facilities including: camping (with or without electric hookups, drinking water, showers, flush and pit toilets), fishing, boating on 65 acre lake (limited to electric motors only), picnicking, hiking trails, a 9 hold disc  golf course, and a wildlife exhibit.

Lakeside Park
Located one mile north of Humeston on Hwy 65, is an 86 acre park with facilities for camping with or without electrical hookups, drinking water and pit toilets), fishing on its 45 acre lake, and picnicking areas.

Located on mile north of Lineville on Hwy 65, is a 29 acre park featuring facilities for: camping (with or without electrical hookups, drinking water, and pit toilets), fishing on the 12 acre lake, and picnicking areas.

Located 5 miles east of Lineville, is a 1028 acre area with facilities for hunting and fishing, as well as upland timber ground, a restored prairie area, and 140 acres of wetland.

Located one quarter of a mile south of Seymour on county road S60, is rustic park with facilities for: camping (20 undesignated campsites for tent camping and restrooms), fishing on its 24 acre lake (with boat ramp), and picnicking areas.

Created on reclaimed railroad right of way, the Cinder Path Trail is a biking and hiking trail that continues into Lucas County, south of Derby, all the way to Chariton.

Corydon Municipal Golf Course.  Located on the southeast corner of Corydon. The 9 hole, par 36 course is located in Walden Park.

Located at the Lakeside Park, is a 9 hold course, featuring sand greens, and a challenging water shot across part of the lake.  
Corydon Municipal Swimming Pool and Tennis Court    
Located on the east edge of Corydon.
 

    
Between 1846 and 1869, more than 70,000 Mormons trekked from Nauvoo, Ill., to Salt Lake City. The main route across Iowa, now marked by road signs, meanders atop the rolling hills of southern Iowa from Montrose to Council Bluffs

    
The Iowa Mormon Trail Association was formed as a non-profit organization several years ago and has continued to grow year after year.

IMTA’s mission is to research, develop and celebrate the historic Mormon Trials throughout Iowa.  After careful research the organization placed markers along the main routes traveled by the Mormon Pioneers to help guide tourists along the trail. There are interpretive panels in notable places in each of the twelve Iowa counties that were crossed by the Mormon Pioneers to inform the many travelers who follow the trail each year.

    
The Iowa Mormon Trail association board of directors meets bi-monthly at alternating sites. IMTA publishes a quarterly newsletter sent to members and interested parties. Books pertaining to the organization and the historic trails are maintained in the Prairie Trails Museum of Wayne county library. 

      
To learn more about the Historic Pioneer Trail visit the Mormon Trail Association website at www.mormontrails.org/
 

       
The two story house, with circular rooms on the southwest corner was placed on a new basement foundation. There will be a small meeting room and restrooms in the basement, with period furnishings and decorations. The Wilson house is now at the historic site, just east of Allerton, where the 50 foot diameter Round Barn was built in 1912. This house will make an excellent farm house addition for the round barn site. Also at the site are the 1887 New York Christian Church (from New York Iowa) and the 1868 one room William’s School House, The Round Barn, church and school house are fully restored and open for tours in the summer or any time by appointment. The Round barn site has become a popular destination for school field trips, some of which plan all day activities to show the students what life was like at the turn of the century. Everyone is welcome to visit the site.

  
Call 641-8873-4259 for more information.

    
Included in this series is the Annual Fourth of July Festival featuring a parade around the square, a pie baking contest, basset hound festival, barbeque, free entertainment on the square and much more. The day’s festivities conclude with fireworks at dusk, over Corydon Lake.

    
Bring your lawn chairs and prepare for a summer of fun in Corydon, Iowa!  For more information or a concert schedule contact: WAYCO Arts Council at 641-872-1198.