By Robert Lucke
At the regular September Park Board meeting, Conrad Nystrom addressed the board with concerns he had after attending a park stream bank meeting and hearing that there was no formal management document in place for Beaver Creek Park.
Nystrom stressed that his ideas were merely suggestions and that he has seen a lot of positive park improvement since the days when cattle, sheep and horses ranged free all year long on that land.
"The weed and burdock efforts worked well this year," Nystrom said. "I hope it happens next year.
"Recently it seems to be in vogue to have goals and mission statements."
Nystrom went on to say that with such a statement in place chances were that the cabin developed on the long flats above Rotary Hill or the present location of the dumpster site would not have happened.
"Do we just need to write up some sort of a plan and continue to do what we are doing?" queried board chairman Kathy Eskestrand.
"I think we have a plan and know what we are doing," said board secretary, Donna Golie.
"The public thinks everything in the park needs to be developed today," said board member Dean Hanson. "We know we were not going to develop everything now, but lots are hollering all the time that we have not made proper development out there."
"There is one other concern I have," continued Nystrom. "The item of non-county cattle coming on the park. Only Hill County cattle should be on that park. There are Chouteau County people on the park right now with their cattle and I don't think they should be."
Keeping the park closed because of fire danger was discussed.
"We need another inch of rain before we open it up," said Hanson.
"I don't think a month or two of the park closed will be so bad," said Park Superintendent Bernie Golie.
"Maybe with it closed people will realize what is here having the park closed," said Hanson. "It gives people something to think about by having it closed. We are going to take some flack over it, but we need to stick together."
The Hill County Commissioners opened the park after the area received more rain. The commissioners remind park users that level four fire restrictions were still in place.
The 2001 park budget was voted on and passed.
A set of Beaver Creek Park water well drilling regulations was passed around, voted on and passed. It is for cabin lease owners within the boundaries of the park who desire to drill a water well in the park. There are six steps they must follow before and while drilling the well. Hill County Commissioners have copies of the well drilling regulations for interested parties.
Superintendent Golie reported that there are now 2000 cattle on the park. Hay income for the year was $643. The camp revenue for the year was $12,000 and sticker sales are at $14,800. $550 has had to be refunded to camp goers due to the closure of the park.
The next regular Park Board meeting will be held at the detention facility courtroom on Oct. 2.
