What A Mess

[bojack]

Went down to maramec springs on the 4th just to walk around, Boy was I surprised. Haven't been there this year and was shocked to be charged $5 just to get in. we got there at 3pm and we were only the 75th car in there that day. Went into the store and it was almost bare, the prices were marked out and higher prices were on the goods. We were thinking of coming down later in the week and pitch a tent on a site with electic~~ $36 per night ~~ W H A T? So we walked around and in all the years i've been going down there i have NEVER seen so much trash all over the place. Everything from candy wrapers, plastic bottles, bait containers, dead fish thrown up on the bank, etc. etc. We were shocked. Did not see any park helpers(workers) while we were there. Went up top of the hiway and asked the ol-boy running that campground what was going on with maramac. He said it was a shame what they have done to the place. Said the last JAMES had died and left the park to a trust run by a bank in New York. How sad is that. We picked up a small box of trash, but just as fast there it was, back on the ground. What is wrong with people? ? ?

[Randall]

Sounds like they're letting it go... the park is a neat place when you get past the mediocre fishing. I hate to hear its being run into the ground. Maybe they'll just sell it to MDC and they'll turn it into another Bennett or Montauk.

[dave potts]

Yes, that's a shame as it was always a beautiful park although I also was never impressed with the fishing.

I wonder if MDC is at all interested in getting it? Whoever now owns it is probably anxious to get rid of it. Maybe a grass roots petition to get MDC to buy it would be in order.

Dave

[Trav]

I heard a rumor that MDC might be laying off ten percent of their staff. I doubt if they can afford to buy it.

[DoveTail]

Missouri is slow on sending back tax refunds, not a lot of cash floating around. If the park is that bad and dirty, it may go up for sale cheap.

[Randall]

It'd make me sick to see it go private. Seems like it should, or could be a money maker if it was properly managed.

[DoveTail]

Isn't it already private or always has been? I thought the state just stocked trout there, but privately owned?

[dave potts]

It's true that state funds are in a pinch. Any layoffs at MDC would be due to fiscal funding problems. However, the 1/8% sales tax was to be earmarked for acqisitions, not day to day operations. As stated above, the park could probably be had for a reasonable amount of money as I'm sure whatever bank is holding it would like to get rid of it.

Anyway, it was just a thought. I sure hope it doesn't go private for some rich dude's private little park. We're getting too many Ted Turners and Robert Redfords buying up property in this country now.

Dave

[Randall]

You are right that it is currently owned by the James Foundation. It is operated pursuant to an agreement with MDC and open to the public. If it was bought by a private individual that could potentially all end. I'd be interested to know what the agreement between MDC and the James Foundation looks like though. It could be that MDC has some contractual right to keep the park open.

[Gavin]

The James Foundation owns the place and I doubt that its for sale...The James Foundation is a not-for-profit organization so the assets would have to be donated to a public purpose at liquidation...Not that they are liquidating....

The prices are what they are, but the trash situation sounds like a management problem....Write them a letter with your complaints.

http://www.maramecspringpark.com/maramec/contact/index.html