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| Lelah Bradley Park and Reserve |
ABOUT THE PARK
 Located just south west of Centerville, Lelah Bradley Park and Reserve(L.B.P.R.) contains a wide variety of diverse habitats, plant, and animal life. The park currently offers fishing, hiking, picnicking, camping, hunting, nature study, and more.
The park began as a 22 acre are located west of the Centerville city lower reservoir and northwest of the upper reservoir. This is the area were the current campground, shelters, and playground lies. This area was given to the Appanoose County Conservation Board in 1959 for the purpose of establishing a memorial park in honor of Mrs. Lelah Bradley. The gift was made by her daughters, Mrs. Francis Young, Mrs. Florence Bradley Brodby, and the Estate of Olive Bradley, in their mothers name. It was deeded to the Appanoose County Conservation Board on December 24, 1959, as a Christmas gift to all residents of Appanoose County.
Over the years the ACCB has added to the original acreage through land acquisitions, donations, and a management agreement with the Centerville Municipal Waterworks Association. The park now includes an extensive trail system, two picnic shelters, a modern campground, playground area, and public hunting areas.
FISHING
The Centerville reservoirs at Lelah Bradley offer fishermen a little of everything. Both the lower and upper lakes are open to fishing and boating. Boating on the lower reservoir is limited to vessels powered by paddle, row, sail, or electric trolling motors only. Gas powered motors are strickly prohibited on the lower reservoir. The upper reservoir is open to any size motor operated at idle or no wake speeds only. Special permits are needed before launching any vessel in either of these waters. These permits are available at the Waterworks office or the Centerville Law Center for $10 per year.
Beginning in 1996 the ACCB, with help from the Rathbun Fish Hatchery, have been raising and releasing channel catfish into the lower reservoir. The reservoir also boasts excellent largemough bass fishing. In 1995 a local angler worn a statewide big bass tournament with a 9.96 pound largemouth caught in the lower reservoir.
TRUMPETER SWANS
Since 1996 the ACCB has been participating in the IDNR's Trumpeter Swan Reintroduction Program. While once abundant on the Iowa landscape, the Trumpeter Swan had been extirpated from the state for over 100 years before the first wild nesting since 1883 occurred in Dubuque county in 1998. The program enlists private individuals and public institutions to care for flightless, banded pairs of Trumpeter Swans so they may raise young in a protected environment. Upon reaching maturity, the free flying offspring will hopefully return to raise their own young. The pair at L.B.P.R. is located at the park entrance in front of the Waterworks plant.
CAMPING
Lelah Bradley Park and Reserve offers 12 modern and 3 non-modern campsites, which are available during the recreation season. All sites are equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, nearby water source and vault-type restrooms. A dump station for campers was completed in the spring of 2006. This was completed with funds from the Wayne Demry Memoraial. Special thanks to all who donated to this memorial in Wayne's memory. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis or can be reserved up to one year in advance. For reservation information, contact the ACCB office at 641-856-8528.
PICNIC SHELTERS
Located near the campground, L.B.P.R. has two shelterhouses to accomodate your group. Each shelter contains picnic tables and a grill. These shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis or can be reserved up to one year in advance. For reservation information, contact the ACCB office at 641-856-8528.
TRAILS
 Over three miles of hiking trails make up the Lelah Bradley Hike and Bike Trail. Like the park itself, the trail has grown over the years through donations and acquisitions. This self guided trail offers a look back into the history of Appanoose county. The trail begins on an old railroad right of way before leading hikers into the Rock Creek Tree Farm. This 15 acre woodland was donated to the ACCB in 1995 by Mr. Buster Burkhart. Reaching the end of the tree farm the trail continues around the lower reservoir. Along the way hikers will pass informational signs denoting the location and history of past area industries. The trail offers a unique look into the past while traveling through a variety of habitats.
HUNTING
 The L.B.P.R. also offers a variety of hunting opportunities to sportsmen. Deer, turkey, pheasant, quail and waterfowl can all be found in the parks public hunting areas. The ACCB with help from the Rathbun Lake chapter of Pheasants Forever has established native grasses, food and cover plots in these areas. Please call the ACCB to obtain a map of boundaries for public hunting and season dates.
25069 520th Street
Centerville, IA 52544
641-856-8528
mmuir@iowatelecom.net
Nature Center Hours: Monday-Friday 8AM-Noon, Saturday & Sunday 12:30PM - 4:30 PM
"To create a balance between man and his environment by educating, providing, and protecting the natural resources of Appanoose County"
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