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.
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| 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.
