Indian Camp Creek
Park opening I wrote for First Capitol News.
St. Charles County Executive Joe Ortwerth shivered as he and St. Charles County Park’s Director Bettie Yahn-Kramer officially opened Indian Camp Creek on a cold Thursday afternoon. Situated at the confluence of Big Creek and Indian Camp Creek, the 603-acre facility is the largest park in the county’s system and is the sixth park opened since the department was founded in 1997.
“Today’s opening of Indian Camp Creek Park is a major milestone for the St. Charles County parks’ system,” Ortwerth said. “We are pleased to offer residents another 600 acres of natural parkland that celebrates both the environment and the area’s history.”
Ortwerth went on to say that the park was meant to be a multi-county park, to be used by members of surrounding counties.
The opening celebration was led by Ortwerth, Yahn-Kramer, members of the architectural, engineering, construction teams and special guests. Guests toured the facility and a special exhibition by creatures rehabilitated at The World Bird Sanctuary. One of the animals featured was Adam, a Harris Hawk.
“With its thick forest, undulating terrain, and diverse ecosystem, this area leant itself well to a number of different features that were created with little outside development,” Yahn-Kramer said. “We’re excited to offer more than 10 miles (when completed) of multi-use, natural trail.”
Located one mile west of Highway 61 on Dietrich Road, Indian Camp Creek Park offers a number of amenities not currently offered within the county. The trail already has five miles completed with another five miles to be completed next spring in the second phase of the project. The trail will be open to hiking, biking and horseback riding In addition to the trail there is also protected prairie and several picnic shelters available for rent. The park will also have an eco-playground, which has play structures and observation areas.
Phase two project will create the county’s first youth group camping area, establish the Toth Nature Preserve to protect the native flora and fauna and restore a heritage area that focuses on the homesteaders who settled in the area in the early 19th century. Phase two is expected to be completed next summer.
A six-acre pond stocked with bluegill, bass, and catfish is expected to open for catch-and-release fishing in 2009, when the species reach maturation.
Development of the park began in 2001, when the first parcel of land (525 acres) was purchased by St. Charles County from Paul Hunt for approximately $3.7 million. Additional land acquisitions then increased the park to its current 603-acre size.
Link to First Captiol News
St. Charles County Executive Joe Ortwerth shivered as he and St. Charles County Park’s Director Bettie Yahn-Kramer officially opened Indian Camp Creek on a cold Thursday afternoon. Situated at the confluence of Big Creek and Indian Camp Creek, the 603-acre facility is the largest park in the county’s system and is the sixth park opened since the department was founded in 1997.
“Today’s opening of Indian Camp Creek Park is a major milestone for the St. Charles County parks’ system,” Ortwerth said. “We are pleased to offer residents another 600 acres of natural parkland that celebrates both the environment and the area’s history.”
Ortwerth went on to say that the park was meant to be a multi-county park, to be used by members of surrounding counties.
The opening celebration was led by Ortwerth, Yahn-Kramer, members of the architectural, engineering, construction teams and special guests. Guests toured the facility and a special exhibition by creatures rehabilitated at The World Bird Sanctuary. One of the animals featured was Adam, a Harris Hawk.
“With its thick forest, undulating terrain, and diverse ecosystem, this area leant itself well to a number of different features that were created with little outside development,” Yahn-Kramer said. “We’re excited to offer more than 10 miles (when completed) of multi-use, natural trail.”
Located one mile west of Highway 61 on Dietrich Road, Indian Camp Creek Park offers a number of amenities not currently offered within the county. The trail already has five miles completed with another five miles to be completed next spring in the second phase of the project. The trail will be open to hiking, biking and horseback riding In addition to the trail there is also protected prairie and several picnic shelters available for rent. The park will also have an eco-playground, which has play structures and observation areas.
Phase two project will create the county’s first youth group camping area, establish the Toth Nature Preserve to protect the native flora and fauna and restore a heritage area that focuses on the homesteaders who settled in the area in the early 19th century. Phase two is expected to be completed next summer.
A six-acre pond stocked with bluegill, bass, and catfish is expected to open for catch-and-release fishing in 2009, when the species reach maturation.
Development of the park began in 2001, when the first parcel of land (525 acres) was purchased by St. Charles County from Paul Hunt for approximately $3.7 million. Additional land acquisitions then increased the park to its current 603-acre size.
Link to First Captiol News
Labels: News Story
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7:06 PM
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