By Robert Lucke
Once again a repossessed cabin site took up early moments of the regular January Hill County Park Board.
The former owner of a cabin site in Normandy Coulee appeared before the board asking if he could have a chance to sell the cabin himself before the board sold it for him.
Board members encouraged him to sell it himself and reminded him that they were going to be trying to sell the lot and cabin themselves and that he would get any money realized from the sale of the cabin less expenses the board could accrue to make the cabin salable.
"A letter went out from the county attorney," board chairman Goebel said. "The only thing to do now is to go and comply. I have had one or two phone calls about selling it. I have told them to see Bernie (Bernie Golie, park superintendent) about buying it."
After the park lessee in question had left, board member Dean Hanson had more to say on that subject.
"It has been four years now unkept and uncared for and if we let this go, other people in there will do the same and it will all go to hell," said Hanson. "I don't think we can do anything to set a precedent. Don't wait to turn around and get another problem. If we are going to allow one or two or three parties to make a bad name for the park, then it is a bad precedent for me."
Board Chairman Goebel reported that a man is working on a grant to provide sidewalks from Beaver Lodge at Camp Kiwanis to the cabins and showers with money to come to the Beaver Creek Park Foundation. The sidewalks would be to make Camp Kiwanis more handicapped accessible.
"We need to be sure that the sidewalks are wide enough. Not like the Fish, Wildlife and Parks sidewalks out at Fresno. They are too narrow," Hanson said.
"In the fence debate scuttlebutt I have heard nothing new," Goebel said. "On January 5, there will be a committee meeting and on Jan. 12, there will be another public meeting."
In a response to a question, board member Hanson detailed fencing plans.
"The fencing plan will go along the highway as close as possible. The reason for that is the expensive cost of maintenance. What we are talking about and one big problem is that Fish, Wildlife and Parks would like to have the good meadows by the creeks fenced off and we would lose lots of good grazing. Along with that was a discussion of grazing habitat. All of it is under study. The thing we have to look at is the Fish and Game is trying to do their job but it is not being asked for. We have to concentrate on cost factors. We are going to have a lot of negatives if the fence goes in," Hanson added.
In another matter, Chairman Goebel talked about Beaver Creek Reservoir.
"I would like to start in this year to get Walleye people and Fish, Wildlife and Parks people together," Goebel said. "I could get with both and see what we can do at the park and particularly the lower lake. One thing would be a handicapped site at the boat ramp at the lower lake."
Goebel commented on the lack of marked hiking trails in the park.
"Another point, I have been trying to get together with Ed Spinler and Charlie Gallas to develop some trails. One trail is a half mile up Brough's Coulee than turn south and get back to the highway. The chamber (of Commerce) would like to see trails for tourists. Good trails and get them signed," Goebel said.
Goebel also commented on commemorating the Beaver Creek CCC Camp which was at the site of the park dumpster site and remembering the one CCC boy who lost his life in an accident coming into the park.
Board member Kathy Eskestrand told of her wish for walking and biking trails adjacent to the Beaver Creek Highway for safety.
The next regular Hill County Park Board meeting will be Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. at the new jail court room.
