Fate of Viney Creek could be closure
July 3, 2019
Charlea Estes-Jones
At the end of this year, it looks like Viney Creek Recreational Area could be closed for good. An informational meeting regarding the local camping spot on Thursday, June 27, at the Golden Baptist Church brought a message from Missouri State Parks director Ben Ellis: State Parks will no longer operate the recreational area after this season.
Citing issues with the septic system, shower house and loss of money to operate the site, Missouri State Parks is bowing out of Viney Creek when the contract is up at the end of the season. Viney Creek is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Missouri State Parks entered into two different contracts over the past six years to keep the site open when locals were disappointed to learn the Army Corps had Viney Creek tabbed for closure.
However, Ellis said the recreational area is not a responsible use of the parks system's resources. He said, "To maintain it, it takes away from our two state parks near that we are responsible for. Table Rock and Roaring River have to send staff to take care of it." Ellis also confirmed State Parks loses between $10,000 and $12,000 each year to run the site.
The news that Missouri State Parks is backing away from the campground was not a surprise to anyone at the informational meeting held last year. Problems plague the area, and the Army Corps would not commit to bring the septic system up to code or fix the shower house, which has since burned down.
Ellis said, "We had not done our due diligence at [when State Parks took over Viney Creek], and that was when we did have restrooms and a shower house, so the state at that time committed to another five-year lease and that the end of that lease we knew we would have to make another determination.
"We have looked at it and we have decided that the state will not be operating this campground in the future."
Viney Creek was initially tabbed for closure by the Army Corps of Engineers in early 2014. At that time, Missouri State Parks stepped in and entered into a lease agreement to operate and manage the site for a year. After the year was up, Missouri State Parks entered into a five year agreement. However, now it is up in the air as to what will happen with the campground and day-use area.
Ellis said Missouri State Parks was under the impression that the Corps was planning to aid in repairing the septic system as well as the shower house, but that did not happen.
With Missouri State Parks out of the picture, the next government entity allowed to operate the site is Barry County. Presently, the Barry County Commission is not planning to do that.
Ellis also cited the primarily local-use of the campground as being a factor in the decision, as well. Most of the users of Viney Creek come from the surrounding area, not state-wide like other parks, such as Roaring River and Table Rock.
He said, " It basically boils down to the responsibility that state parks has to the parks we have purchased and are operated for Missourians and our guests. When you look at the population and where it comes from for Viney Creek, you don’t see that.
“I can’t justify it. To the folks who support our state parks soils and water sales tax, that's 75 percent of our budget, and that supports all of the state parks.
"To be fiduciary responsible for that, I can’t justify having a very small core of users [at a site we manage]. I understand it is very important to you. I understand that if you are from Golden or the area, this is a sweet little park. It is really nice."
Ellis continued that Viney Creek simply isn't State Parks' responsibility, and it's not justifiable to operate it.
Barry County presiding commissioner Gary Youngblood said, "If the state can't afford to run it, the county sure can't. It's not financially feasible."
Ellis did comment that a private group reached out about offering to operate the campground privately, however, they would have to enter into an agreement with a government entity to do so. The Army Corps confirmed they will not open a bidding process to allow private entities to operate it directly.
Ellis assured that he would try to assist in keeping Viney Creek open, even if State Parks can't operate it. He said, "What we are we trying to do? I’m trying to find an operator."
It would be possible for a county or local government to enter into a lease agreement with the Corps and then enter into a separate agreement with a private group to operate the area to prevent the county from extending funds to operate it.
Typical lease agreements with the Corps last anywhere from five years at a minimum to 25 years or more.
Charlea Estes-Jones
At the end of this year, it looks like Viney Creek Recreational Area could be closed for good. An informational meeting regarding the local camping spot on Thursday, June 27, at the Golden Baptist Church brought a message from Missouri State Parks director Ben Ellis: State Parks will no longer operate the recreational area after this season.
Citing issues with the septic system, shower house and loss of money to operate the site, Missouri State Parks is bowing out of Viney Creek when the contract is up at the end of the season. Viney Creek is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Missouri State Parks entered into two different contracts over the past six years to keep the site open when locals were disappointed to learn the Army Corps had Viney Creek tabbed for closure.
However, Ellis said the recreational area is not a responsible use of the parks system's resources. He said, "To maintain it, it takes away from our two state parks near that we are responsible for. Table Rock and Roaring River have to send staff to take care of it." Ellis also confirmed State Parks loses between $10,000 and $12,000 each year to run the site.
The news that Missouri State Parks is backing away from the campground was not a surprise to anyone at the informational meeting held last year. Problems plague the area, and the Army Corps would not commit to bring the septic system up to code or fix the shower house, which has since burned down.
Ellis said, "We had not done our due diligence at [when State Parks took over Viney Creek], and that was when we did have restrooms and a shower house, so the state at that time committed to another five-year lease and that the end of that lease we knew we would have to make another determination.
"We have looked at it and we have decided that the state will not be operating this campground in the future."
Viney Creek was initially tabbed for closure by the Army Corps of Engineers in early 2014. At that time, Missouri State Parks stepped in and entered into a lease agreement to operate and manage the site for a year. After the year was up, Missouri State Parks entered into a five year agreement. However, now it is up in the air as to what will happen with the campground and day-use area.
Ellis said Missouri State Parks was under the impression that the Corps was planning to aid in repairing the septic system as well as the shower house, but that did not happen.
With Missouri State Parks out of the picture, the next government entity allowed to operate the site is Barry County. Presently, the Barry County Commission is not planning to do that.
Ellis also cited the primarily local-use of the campground as being a factor in the decision, as well. Most of the users of Viney Creek come from the surrounding area, not state-wide like other parks, such as Roaring River and Table Rock.
He said, " It basically boils down to the responsibility that state parks has to the parks we have purchased and are operated for Missourians and our guests. When you look at the population and where it comes from for Viney Creek, you don’t see that.
“I can’t justify it. To the folks who support our state parks soils and water sales tax, that's 75 percent of our budget, and that supports all of the state parks.
"To be fiduciary responsible for that, I can’t justify having a very small core of users [at a site we manage]. I understand it is very important to you. I understand that if you are from Golden or the area, this is a sweet little park. It is really nice."
Ellis continued that Viney Creek simply isn't State Parks' responsibility, and it's not justifiable to operate it.
Barry County presiding commissioner Gary Youngblood said, "If the state can't afford to run it, the county sure can't. It's not financially feasible."
Ellis did comment that a private group reached out about offering to operate the campground privately, however, they would have to enter into an agreement with a government entity to do so. The Army Corps confirmed they will not open a bidding process to allow private entities to operate it directly.
Ellis assured that he would try to assist in keeping Viney Creek open, even if State Parks can't operate it. He said, "What we are we trying to do? I’m trying to find an operator."
It would be possible for a county or local government to enter into a lease agreement with the Corps and then enter into a separate agreement with a private group to operate the area to prevent the county from extending funds to operate it.
Typical lease agreements with the Corps last anywhere from five years at a minimum to 25 years or more.
