Joe Bald Rd. Park Gonna Be Locked Up?

[Mike Ray]

I hear it is gonna be. What a shame! a lot of folks still use this park [including me] Don't get why it has to be locked up as a matter of fact I don't get why it was closed in the first place beautiful park. In my humble opinion WAY nicer than some of the others around.

[gitnby]

An article in the Stone County Gazette said it is going to be "re-purposed", meaning that they are taking ideas for what to do with the land.

Hey, how about a Public Ramp, Swimming area and Picnic Area?

Why do I get the feeling that the Swanson's will somehow be involved in whatever it eventually becomes?

[Mike Ray]

Don't know " G " but i heard locked gate..seems like a major waste if that is what happens They have sewer system, rest rooms,good ramp,paved road and even pick nick tables on site. Hope it isn't so, close to the house and one of my favorite area to fish.

[Jason Essary]

Believed it was closed because it did not have electricity and was not being used enough to pay for its up keep. Have heard of the corp asking locals about what they would like to be done to it in the last few weeks.

[Wayne SW/MO]

How much can it cost for crying out loud! Surely they could run electricity for a host. These people put in charge of public lands who haven't a clue of what people will accept it aggravating at best. Why they believe a campground with nothing but water and outhouses wouldn't be acceptable simply shows how inept they are their jobs. there will obviously be people who will complain that there aren't enough amenities, but those who are satisfied won't complain and add to the discussion, DUH.

Campers Point gets visitors and there is nothing there.

[Mike Ray]

don't know that anything needs to be done {don't see why it couldn't be] but to just lock it up? seems increedably wasteful. Some folks WANT to get away from the grid so to speak and rough it. Seems to me it has way more going for it than against. "G " may have it right an ulterior motive might be at play.

[Champ188]

I'd be interested to see some numbers on how many people are camping now vs. 20-30 years ago. I would bet the numbers are down significantly. Seems there is more development in terms of condos and lakehouses and fewer people towing campers and dragging tents to the lake. Certainly no shortage of drunken revelers out there in ski boats, wake boats, etc., but we do know from the stats kept by various fishing organizations that our own numbers are down and shrinking by the year.

[MOPanfisher]

Its been a lot of years since I worked at Table Rock but I well remember Joe Bald Park, quiet out of the way campground at the end of the road, lots of shady sites and almost no campers. The combination of distance from the "main" areas, rustic nature etc. of the park led to abysmal visitation. There is always a cost to keeping something open. If its open you have to care for it, period, there is not an option of simply abandoning it as it, roads, trash, water, security, etc. etc.. Hopefully the ramp will be able to be kept open, even if it means diverting the current traffic patterns and physically blocking other roads in the park. There is also a big push right now among the "higher ups" in DC to close and or modify areas that are designated as "poor performers". They get that designation by a combination of low usage, and upkeep/maintenance costs. Simply doesn't make economic sense to spend dollars and time on an area that doesn't put much back into the economy. During a time of shrinking budget $ and the sequestration cuts, every $ is going to be scrutinized, if closing a couple of low use area allows them to keep oven an area that gets 10 times the usage, as a taxpayer its hard not to support it. If I lived nearby and used is as an easy access to the lake, it would be bitter pill to swallow. I suspect that the COE would love to see the county, state or some other entity come foreward and say we would like to lease that area so it could still be used but not taking the ever more scarce budget $..

[Wayne SW/MO]

I'd be interested to see some numbers on how many people are camping now vs. 20-30 years ago. I would bet the numbers are down significantly. Seems there is more development in terms of condos and lakehouses and fewer people towing campers and dragging tents to the lake. Certainly no shortage of drunken revelers out there in ski boats, wake boats, etc., but we do know from the stats kept by various fishing organizations that our own numbers are down and shrinking by the year.

It isn't reflected in the reservations. If you snooze you lose when it comes to securing a site. If the numbers are down I would say it's because of a lack of camping spots rather then people moving on to more expensive methods. I suspect that all the condos, etc are just adding to the mix where the more affluent are taking advantage of the resource.

When you say stats, are you talking about organized fishing or just bass fishing in general?

I always thought Coombs Ferry was a nice place. Lots of bank access, a swimming beach and the sites wern't too crowded, but it got axed.

I still contend it's just the COE trying to make things more than needed to make it appear they are needed. There ain't likely going to be anymore dams built.

[Mike Ray]

I don't think a lot of people know about joe bald and it's very nice p gravel beach or peaceful tranquility. I also know it can't be costing much if anything to leave it open and un- maintained as it has been for at least ten years. so why such a rush to lock it up now?could it be something to do with the users pass to use the corps other ramps?or some other b-4 mentioned agenda? don't know but like I said to just lock it up seems wasteful even if only a few enjoy it.