The forgotten Park - River Run!

Forsyth MO. - One of the great pleasures of living in a rural setting that is hilly, green and blessed with water ways are the parks, wherever and whenever you find them.

The Forsyth Missouri area in southwest Missouri is blessed with two great recreational parks; Shadowrock Park which the town leases from the Corp of Engineers and River Run which is run by the Corps. Shadowrock has faced some challenges over the last year or two with the construction of a nearby bridge and roundabout. That process, thankfully, is nearing an end and the hope is that this great park will be restored to full usefulness. River Run had also been impacted by the bridge construction but additionally faced other obstacles,  notably the aforementioned Corps of Engineers. And that is the topic of this post.

Two gates control access!

Years ago, I lived in a neighborhood that was adjacent to River Run and for many years, I fully enjoyed the covered RV sites and the boat launch. Then sometime around 2012 or 2013, a pair of gates (see diagram above) were erected at the Hwy 76 junction and at the top of the hill on Baker street. When they were closed, the park was effectively closed. I recall that the first time I really paid attention was during the government shutdown in October of 2013. Over the course of the years to come, these gates were closed more and more often. Many times it was explained by the Corp that it was over 'safety' concerns due to flooding. OK. But I wondered about all the decades that came before there were gates. Whenever the park flooded, folks knew not to drive there... Whatever, now the Corps had a convenient way to completely shut down that park whenever the mood hit them.

Then, a series of event occurred. First, it was the installation of sewers and then it was the bridge construction that keep both gates closed most all the time. And I could understand the reasoning there. However today, not so much so. You see, even as it may be proper to keep Gate 1 closed due to road construction for the new bridge, Gate 2 could be opened. Guys with boats could then use the boat ramp while others could walk or picnic. Sorry! There is a sign at gate 2 that states the park is flooded - Uh, no the Bull Shoals level was only at 657 feet msl, or about two feet below normal! So, you can see my confusion here.

While all these events were going on, the park has continued down the path of neglect and decay, not showing much in the way of care that I could determine from my viewpoint across the river. Hey! That's my park they're messing with!

Here's my thinking for 2019. Why not encourage the Town of Forsyth to take out a lease on River Run, like it has for the other park? It seems to me that the Corps of Engineers may be too busy doing other stuff (what stuff I have no clue?) to be effective and perhaps our City Hall might even make a few bucks off it come next summer. Just a thought.

The mystery of the 'broken' River Run gate...which remains closed!

click on picture to enlarge

'When the people you elect to positions of authority fail to perform in small ways, then how much confidence can you have in them in larger arenas?'

A gate that blocks the back entrance to River Run on Baker street remains locked even while the park has (apparently) re-opened. Adding insult is the fact that this gate is not signed properly and is therefore hard to see. Another example of blatant and callous disregard for civilians safety by the Army Corps of Engineers? You be the judge...

Interestingly, a neighbor of mine ran across what he thought appeared to be one of the Corps of Engineer people while walking earlier today. He inquired about the gate and the fact it was locked, while the other gate off Hwy 76 was now open. The man responded, by saying that the ‘gate is broken’ and cannot be opened.

Being a curious man, I decided to drive over to that location and do a look see on my own. After a few minutes, I could detect no damage such that it could not be opened completely. (See pictures). I also had another individual inspect the very same gate and they arrived at the same conclusion. So, what gives? Are we being jacked around around here or what?

If the gate is, in fact damaged, then why hasn't it been fixed or simply removed for repair elsewhere? Also, why is there no reflective material on either side of the gate to allow motorists a chance to clearly see the obstruction. It’s currently painted a nice dark shade of brown which renders it hard to see. Anyone who enters the park from Hwy 76 and then attempts to come up that back way into Valley View Village could be in for an unpleasant surprise! The picture on top uses a simulated sun but in a few weeks with enough leaves off the trees, it may even be brighter. Add that to a dirty windshield and an accident could be the result.

In my opinion, this represents an accident waiting to happen. Cutting through the park area to get to the housing development is common practice and is used by a lot of citizens. What if some elderly person with marginalized eyesight were to plow into it? Couldn't the Corps at least put up a day-glow orange sign to warn motorists?

If you're wondering why I haven't attempted to do anything  about this, well I have. I've made numerous calls to the City of Forsyth and to the Corps of Engineers office at 870-425-2700. That's about all I can do at this point other than to post this on my blog. In the mean time, if you use Baker Street or know anyone who does, please advise them of this situation and we'll all wait for a resolution.

As a final note, I'm not trying to pick on the Corps in this post. I know they are just as affected by the chaotic social and economic times as anyone else. Rather, I am hoping that by publicizing this matter, I might help to avert an accident!

More on this to come.....

Followup: As of October the 20th, there's has been no news from any of the sources I have contacted, including Senator Claire McCaskill's office which sent me a 'complaint form' that asked for my soc sec and other personal information. Give me a break Claire! I was only trying to point out something I consider to be an issue of motorist safety. That's it! I'm done. I'll now just sit back and wait for someone to run into that gate! Hope it's nobody I know.

Followup: On or about May the 26th (2012), signs were finally attached to this gate! I, myself, observed a ranger doing so.What struck me as strange was the overall timing. Here is was late spring when little to no rain had fallen for two months and just now the Corps decides to finally erect signs that should have been there all along! Well, I guess that it's better late than never!

By the end of the summer of 2012, both gates also now sport reflective tape that should make them very visible at night!

Disclaimer: All the opinions expressed here are those of the author of this post and were made with honest intent.