Corps

[Duck]

Saw a petition today about the closing of Viney Creek park for the duration, has anyone heard of this? If so does that include the ramps. Talked to the nice lady at the little store near the park entrance and she says it is so. Hope not, Duck.

[Bill Babler]

That would be a MONSTER BLOW to that end of the lake. Absolutely one of the nicest parks on Table Rock, as a matter of fact, I don't really see its equal. There are 2 separate working ramps in this park that service the area. I use them at least 3 to sometimes 5 days a week in the Spring and Summer.

This is heartbreaking news. The location is just a beautiful serene setting resting on a White River Bluff with wonderful walk down to camp sites along Viney Creek. The camp managers have been there for several years and are great people.

They have recently rebuilt this park to magnificent condition. New dock and sea wall rip rapping. completely redone the entire camp ground, restroom and bath house, Complete new Asphalt parking lot on the White River side that will afford parking to at least 2 dozen trucks and trailers New play ground equipment and sand and gravel in all the swim and play areas. New access and electricity to all the camp sites. Have spent thousands of tax payer dollars here.

Is this happening all over the US or are we just special here on the White River?

This is a complete shame. Really ruins my evening.

[Bill Babler]

Duck is there somewhere to sign this petition. If so we need to get a group together and get some John Hancock's on it. This is a complete shame on us.

[merc1997 Bo]

really makes a lot of sense. spend how many dollars to fix up the camp ground, play grounds, and swimming areas, and then close it up. we have a real bunch of idiots running our government. just like trying to shut down the ramps during the shut down back in the early fall. i just drove around or moved their signs and went fishing. viney creek is a really nice area, and is used by many during the summer. the corp does a lot of stupid things, like the shot rock they have put in. you can not pull up to the bank around the ramp. i watched a guy knock a hole in his boat on that stuff. the water was murky, and he had not been to that ramp since they had installed the rock. they need to install warning signs of the boulders that they have put in the water. well, now i will be in a bad mood the rest of the day with steam coming out the top of my head .

bo

[KCRIVERRAT]

Big M's not too much further up the lake but not nearly as easy to get to. Isn't the Shell Knob bridge the next closest corp ramp down lake? Viney IS a very nice area.

Oh... and the poor guys that own Ball & Prier... they'll never survive with the traffic zooming thru Golden! At least the geologists that visit the rock museum will help keep it runnin'.

Jacking with the already paltry funds that affect the outdoor life of those who enjoy it or depend on it is just plain... (Phil... insert word here).

[Quillback]

I haven't heard that but thanks for the heads up. Viney is a very nice park and seems to stay busy during the summer, makes no sense to close it. And if they are going to close it, they should at least leave the ramp open. Might make sense to contact the local US Congressman for that area.

[Craig]

I was with Duck and most of the info we got was from the lady at the store at the entrance to the park at Viney. She started the petition we saw at the bulletin board in the office pub restaurant . She said this is about budget cuts. She also said that if you look at reserving a camp site, it will show Viney closed. She also thought other areas where also scheduled to close. It would be a shame if these areas ended up looking like Sweetwater or Joe Bald. She said a personal letter would be great. The contact info she gave us is for the head guy in Little Rock.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

ATTN: Col. Cortney Paul

PO Box 867

Little Rock, Ar 72203

[Quillback]

Thank for the address, I will send them a letter.

[Alex Heitman]

I never put in down that way but would be happy to sign a petition and send in a letter. That's a shame if they are closing it for you guys though that use it often.

[Sprint21fter]

It would remind me of H-Hwy being closed for all those years and the ramp being ran down similiar to sweetwater. However, someone got a grant passed to re-pave the ramp at H-Hwy. Used to be a great park however.