Staff makes strides in 2021, prepping for Opening Day
By Kyle Troutman ktroutman@cherryroad.com
Roaring River State Park, the most-visited state park in Missouri, is not slowing on attendance any time soon, and improvements over the last year, combined with projects ahead, will provide more opportunities for all campers, hikers and outdoors lovers.
In 2021, 1,901,243 people visited Roaring River, a 30 percent increase from 2020. The park spans 4,820.68 acres, managed by a full-time staff of 12, part-time staff of nine and 6,569 volunteer hours.
At the annual meeting in July 2022 at the River Shelter, Joel Topham, Park/Historic Site Manager, said the staff have made numerous accomplishments over the prior year. They include:
• Renovated Emory Melton Inn rooms 101-118
• New fish-cleaning station built in Campground 3
• Set new boundary for pollinator area in Campground 3
• Pot-hole repairs
• Installed six new memorial picnic tables in day use area
• Reclaimed view along River Road, with the help of MoDOT
• Cleared and ground out five tree stumps
• Trimmed 20 trees
• Updated Cabin 7
• Cleaned and sanitized Inn air ducts
• Upgraded electrical panels in Shower House 3, along with new water heaters
• Painted satellite bathrooms
• Installed hallway lights at the Inn
• Replaced 7-ton HVAC (two more being replaced this year)
• Power washed all of Deer Leap walkway and replaced informational kiosk on the overlook
• Full repaving of the park roads by MoDOT
• Shower House 3 floor repainted and resealed
• Repair of a bust pipe in Emory Melton Inn on Christmas morning
• New laminate floor done in Cabin 1
• Security rail added at Deer Leap Trail above the spring
Accomplishments, however, did not come without the typical trials and tribulations.
Topham said the park flooded four times in the last year, each of which necessitated clean-up and repairs. Floods on April 13 and May 5 brought the river to 7.28 and 7.55 feet, respectively, and smaller floods on April 21 and May 6 brought it to 3.09 and 3.85 feet, respectively. A flood map used for evacuations helped keep campers safe during the events.
Looking ahead, Topham said numerous projects are slated to be completed, including a new playground.
“Our day use playground did not pass inspection, but the Cassville Community Foundation has ordered us another playground,” Topham said. “They must like us. We are deeply indebted to the Community Foundation — they are awesome.”
The playground was set to be completed by the end of February but has been pushed back to May.
Another major project is in Campground 3, where a Revenue Bond Project is set to start in October.
“This will upgrade 32 sites to full hook-up and will add a two-room bathroom, as well,” Topham said. “In Campground 2, 13 sites are to be redone to help with the holding of water. That project is set for fall of 2023.”
The public swimming pool has also been closed for two seasons, and plans are to convert the space to a splash pad. A start date is pending.
The fish-cleaning station will get its donor wall soon, as work was delayed due to COVID-19.
“We also took the suggestion of some people and added water station faucets like at the old fish-cleaning station,” Topham said. “This way, people will be able to use the water and not get the person across from them wet.”
In stewardship actions, Topham said staff burned 232 acres in Ketchum Hollow west 232 and 380 in Roark. A cedar removal in Glade 7 has also produced desired results.
“We are seeing a lot of exotic species come back in the glades, including roadrunners,” Topham said.
Memorial picnic tables are now being offered in day-use areas. A 10-year table is $1,000, and a lifetime table is $2,500. A grill addition is $500.
At Big Sugar Creek, 2,082.54 total acres with an attendance of 35,587 (up 19 percent), Topham said staff is looking into adding an additional parking lot for park-goers to park closer to the water.
“It will give the public access to a spring-fed pond and floating access at Big Sugar Creek,” he said.
Other projects at Roaring River set to be completed this year include:
• Replacing Deer Leap boardwalk sections along the west section by Devil’s Icebox
• Work with MDC in winter to stabilize the river bank along Campground 2, adding riprap to help hold the soil in place and prevent erosion
• Look to seed wildflowers in pollinator area to attract local pollinators
• Full remodel of interior of Cabin 12 (the honeymoon cabin), keeping the exterior historically accurate.
