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Home PageDEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SEEKS
PUBLIC INPUT ON NEW STATE PARK
JEFFERSON CITY, MO., OCT. 1, 2007 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on a new state park being proposed along the Current River north of Eminence in Shannon County. The process will begin with open houses the weekend of Oct. 12-14.
The new park is being proposed on property known as the historic Alton Club/Jerry J. Presley Conservation Education Center, which is currently owned by the Missouri Department of Conservation. In 2008, the Alton Club complex and its land will be transferred to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Gov. Matt Blunt encouraged the departments of Natural Resources and Conservation to work together to create a new state park on the property.
"Missouri's state park system has been recognized as one of the best in the country as a five-time Gold Medal Award finalist. Now we have an opportunity to make the best even better," Gov. Blunt said. "Our state has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make an incredible resource available to Missourians and visitors with a beautiful state park along the Current River in Shannon County. We are encouraging the public to provide their input about our proposal and hope they will take advantage of this opportunity."
As with any new state park or historic site, the Department of Natural Resources is seeking input to determine what facilities and services the public would like to see offered. Department of Natural Resources staff will be seeking input at the following dates and locations:
- The Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center, 202 S. Main St. (Highway 19, next to the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center), Salem; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12 and Saturday, Oct. 13.
- The Scenic Riverways Arts and Crafts Show and Sale, Circle B Campground on Highway 106 West, Eminence; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14.
- Dining lodge at Montauk State Park, 21 miles southwest of Salem on Highway 119; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14.
- In addition to the open houses, the public may comment on the proposed park through an online survey, which will be available Oct. 10 at www.mostateparks.com/survey.htm. Input will be accepted through Oct. 31.
Department staff will use the input from the open houses and surveys to develop several alternative plans for the park. These plans will be presented to the public for further discussion.
Gov. Blunt is working with the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Conservation to make the new state park along the Current River a reality. Missouri has not had a state park along the Current River since 1968 when Big Spring, Round Spring and Alley Spring state parks were transferred to the National Park Service to serve as the cornerstones of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
The Alton Club was constructed in the 1930s as a corporate retreat for the Alton Box Board Co. The buildings at the site reflect the influence of rustic architecture popular in camp and park buildings in the first half of the 20th century.
For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, call the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2479 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or visit the Web at www.mostateparks.com.
