DNR
Home PageWEATHER MAY DELAY PLANNED SUMMER OPENING OF JOHNSON'S SHUT-INS
JEFFERSON CITY, MO., MARCH 20, 2008 -- The recent winter weather may delay the summer opening of Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park near Lesterville, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced today.
The original plan was to open the shut-ins area of the park for swimming from Memorial Day Weekend until Labor Day Weekend. A part of this plan involved development of a new trail and boardwalk to the shut-ins that would be accessible to people with disabilities. Work on this trail began in December, but because of several significant snow and ice events and flooding, construction has not progressed as planned. Weather conditions have also hindered work on installing new underground utility lines.
"The Department of Natural Resources, as well as Ameren and its contractors, remains committed to doing what we can to ensure that the park will be available for swimming and picnicking this summer," said Department Director Doyle Childers. Information on a possible opening date will be provided later this spring once more progress has been made.
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park was damaged by the Taum Sauk reservoir breach in December 2005. While redevelopment of the park continues, portions of the park have been open for limited use during the last two summers.
For more information about the park, go to www.mostateparks.com. For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, call the department toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf).
