Fire Tower Hike planned May 12 at Sam A. Baker State Park

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Participate in a hike in one of Missouri's more accessible and scenic state parks!

Experience spring in one of the most scenic areas of the state May 12 on a hike to the fire tower on Mudlick Mountain at Sam A. Baker State Park near Patterson. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the two-mile hike will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude around noon. The event is free and open to the public.

Spring marks the beginning of new life and is a great time of the year for a hike to the fire tower. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the tower sits at the top of Mudlick Mountain at an elevation of 1,313 feet elevation. The hike is moderate and steep in some places so wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes and bring plenty of water and snacks. Hikers should meet in the front of the visitor center. The fire tower is not accessible to visitors.

Sam A. Baker State Park is located on Highway 143 about four miles north of Patterson. For more information, contact the park naturalist at 573-856-4514. For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Forest Will Leave Noblett Lake Temporarily Dry Until Spring 2012

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AVA, Missouri – Mark Twain National Forest will leave Noblett Lake temporarily dry until spring 2012.

After coordinating with Missouri Departments of Natural Resources and Conservation, Mark Twain National Forest has decided  to leave the dam gate open, leaving the lake bed dry except for the perennial stream portion, until spring 2012.

This will allow cold weather to kill undesirable vegetation within Noblett Lake.

Vandals August 17, 2011 accessed Noblett Lake’s dam and opened the gate, allowing Noblett Lake water to flow into surrounding streams. The 70-year Civilian Conservation Corps-built lake has been filling in with sediment and vegetation over the years.

“The water loss presented a unique opportunity to consider restoration of the lake as a fishery, or return the area to its natural condition,” said Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs District Ranger Jenny Farenbaugh.

Once undesirable vegetation has been eliminated, the dam gate will slowly be closed spring 2012 during a period when precipitation is expected in order to minimize stream drying and potential fish kills.

“The lake will refill over a period of weeks, depending on the amount of precipitation and spring discharge,” Farenbaugh said.

“Although we know residents want to know if and when Noblett Lake will be re-stocked, we are working with Missouri Department of Conservation to determine the feasibility of restocking.”

Farenbaugh said Mark Twain National Forest is also working with partners on the restoration project.

“Opportunities to partner with state, Federal and non-governmental organizations for a project of this magnitude abound and are being explored,” Farenbaugh said.

Law enforcement investigators continue their investigation into the vandalism that resulted in water loss at Noblett Lake, located south of Willow Springs, Missouri in Douglas County.

If someone has information about the August 17, 2011 Noblett Lake incident, please contact 417-683-4428 ext. 199.

Mark Twain National Forest is the largest public land manager in Missouri with 1.5 million acres in 29 counties in southern and central Missouri. Mark Twain National Forest’s mission is to continue to restore Missouri’s great outdoors and maintain a healthy, working forest.

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State Fair Community College students will play vital role in rebuilding dining lodge at historic Camp Pin Oak

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LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo., Sept. 23, 2011 -- A partnership that pairs up a community college career-training program with the award-winning Missouri State Parks system will rebuild a historic dining lodge at one of the state’s most popular parks, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced today.

Department Director Sara Parker Pauley led a groundbreaking ceremony this morning for the new Camp Pin Oak dining lodge at Lake of the Ozarks State Park. A fire last September destroyed the original historic dining lodge that was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Representatives from State Fair Community College and the Missouri Department of Economic Development also attended the ceremony.

The dining lodge is being rebuilt through a partnership between State Fair Community College in Sedalia and the department’s Division of State Parks. State Fair Community College(SFCC) is headquartered in Sedalia and has campuses in six other locations in central and western Missouri, including the Lake of the Ozarks. Students enrolled in the construction trades program at SFCC will rebuild the lodge as a yearlong training and education project.

“The beauty of Camp Pin Oak, with its stone buildings, rustic architecture and sturdy craftsmanship make it a one-of-a-kind place,” Gov. Nixon said. “When the historic dining lodge burned last year, Camp Pin Oak lost a piece of its past. Today, we’re proud to announce that it won’t have to lose a piece of its future. The new lodge will continue the legacy of Camp Pin Oak as a place for recreation, celebration and learning, for many, many generations to come.”

“State Fair Community College looks forward to this opportunity to partner with the state to rebuild Camp Pin Oak's dining lodge,” said Dr. Marsha Drennon, SFCC president. “It's a win-win situation. Our students will learn the construction trade in a hands-on environment and help restore a part of Missouri's rich state park history.”

The Civilian Conservation Corps built Camp Pin Oak between 1934 and 1938, and the lodge served as the hub of the group camp activities for generations of youth groups. The dining lodge was considered one of the finest examples of CCC buildings in the state park system because of its rustic architecture and craftsmanship.

“It is very fitting that the new lodge be built by students who are gaining new skills and experience, just as many of the CCC workers did when they built the original lodge in the 1930s,” said DNR Director Sara Parker Pauley. Director Pauley said she expects the new lodge to continue to serve future generations of youth groups.

The new dining lodge will fit within the historical context of the CCC-era camp, while using modern energy-efficient building materials and amenities to serve the needs of today's group camp users. The new dining lodge will have indoor seating for 135 people, a bigger kitchen with modern appliances, and a new outdoor patio. Construction is expected to take approximately one year to complete. Funding for materials, equipment and training to rebuild the camp will come from a $1.5 million Community Development Block Grant authorized by the Department of Economic Development.

For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mo.gov. 

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Open house planned May 19 at Roaring River State Park

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JEFFERSON CITY, MO., MAY 11, 2011 – The public is invited to bring their ideas to an open house on Thursday, May 19, at Roaring River State Park near Cassville.   The open house will be held at 6 p.m. in the Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center (River View Room) and the public is invited to attend. The meeting with discuss ideas for both Roaring River State Park and Big Sugar Creek State Park near Pineville.

            Recent accomplishments and future plans at the both parks will be highlighted at the open house. Accomplishments include remodeling the fourplex; the partial roof replacement at Camp Smokey; construction of the new Civilian Conservation Corps monument, and significant stewardship accomplishments. In addition, information will be presented on how the parks have and will continue to benefit from the efforts of the State Parks Youth Corps. Representatives from the Missouri Department of Conservation, which operates the hatchery, and MO PARKS Inc., which runs the park concessions, will also be on hand to share comments with the attendees.  Visitors are welcome to ask questions or comment on the park’s facilities and services. 

            This open house is part of an ongoing effort to ensure the public has input on services provided in state parks and historic sites.

            Roaring River State Park is located eight miles south of Cassville on Highway 112 in Barry County.  People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the open house can make arrangements by calling the park directly at 417-847-2539 or by calling the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419(Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

Get Out and Play! May 14 at Washington State Park

Image via WikipediaJEFFERSON CITY, MO., APRIL 21, 2011 -- Take the opportunity May 14 to "Get Out and Play!" at Washington State Park near De Soto. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, this free event is open to visitors of all ages, and will include family-friendly games, activities and crafts.

During this second annual event, special booths will be set up around the Thunderbird Lodge and in the Big River day-use area from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Each booth will feature an activity or subject for visitors to explore and learn more about, including nature crafts, guided petroglyph tours, kite flying, native plants, bird watching, games and much more. Visitors are also encouraged to hike the park's trails, explore the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the park, and even wade in the Big River.

Washington State Park is located on State Highway 104 off Highway 21 between De Soto and Potosi. The park offers many amenities, including a campground with basic and electric sites; a showerhouse with laundry facilities; campground programs; a modern pool; cabins with full kitchens; canoe and raft rentals; a camp store and gift shop; 10 miles of hiking trails; and several picnic sites throughout the park.

Missouri state parks and historic sites provide many ways to reconnect with nature and explore the outdoors. For more information, contact Washington State Park at 636-586-2995 or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device or the Deaf). For information on state parks and historic sites, go to mostateparks.com.