The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will put the Lake Darling State Park cabin project out for bid sometime in the next few weeks. Thanks to support from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation, Washington County Board of Supervisors, DNR and the community, Friends of Lake Darling is close to raising the $900,000 needed to finance the construction of the six cabins.

President of the Friends group, Fay Vittetoe, says they expect the four season cabins to be available for renting by the spring of 2015. She adds now that the park’s existing cabins are equipped with heating units, the park will have 11 cabins available year round. A groundbreaking for the cabin project was held following last week’s rededication ceremony.

Vittetoe adds the Washington Library is keeping the exhibit on Jay N. Ding Darling, the conservationist the lake and park are named after, on display through the end of the month.