Parks

LOOK FORWARD TO MAY STATE PARK EVENTS

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:19:22 GMT

May 3, 2012
Fishing tournaments dominate park activities in early season
PRATT — State parks are great places to camp, boat, fish, swim, and just enjoy the outdoors, but if that isn't enough, you'll find a special event you won't want to miss. In May, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has planned a number of special events. Because May is one of the best months for fishing, many of this month's events are fishing tournaments. Other events include Women On Target activities, mountain bike races, and an equestrian trail ride. Each park sets its own dates for these events.

Events are diverse and many are educational. All make visiting Kansas state parks more enjoyable. For more information on state park events, phone individual parks or click the "Event Calendar" on the State Parks page of the KDWPT website, www.ksoutdoors.com. Under “Reservations,” campsite and cabin reservations may be made online. Since upgrading the system in April, online reservations are faster and easier. In addition to allowing customers to make reservations from the comfort of home, photos of each campsite and its availability are hosted online.

Although not necessary to make a reservation, park goers may phone the park they intend to visit before traveling. Telephone numbers of all state parks offices are found on the KDWPT website. Click "State Parks" at the top of the page, then "Locations" in the left-hand column. Campsite reservations may also be made by phone.

The following is a list of events for May:

May 1-Sept. 3 — Waconda Lake Association Fish-A-Thon at Glen Elder State Park;
May 5-6 — Kansas Bass Federation fishing tournament at Wilson State Park;
May 5 — courtesy boat checks at Tuttle Creek State Park;
May 5-6 — Kansas Fat Tire Festival mountain bike race at Wilson State Park;
May 6 — Kansas Walleye Association fishing tournament at Eisenhower State Park;
May 6 — Waconda Lake Association crappie tournament at Glen Elder State Park;
May 12 — snake show-n-tell at Clinton State Park;
May 12 — Women on Target event at Tuttle Creek State Park’s Fancy Creek Range;
May 12 — OK Kids Day aquatic education event at Fall River State Park;
May 18-20 — Eastern Kansas Arabian Association equestrian trail ride at Hillsdale State Park;
May 20 — Atchison Bass Club fishing tournament at Eisenhower State Park; and
May 20 — Kansas State Mountain Bike Championship at Tuttle Creek State Park.

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NEW STATE PARK RESERVATION SYSTEM OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:17:46 GMT

April 19, 2012
New campsite, cabin reservation system launched April 17; no park damage from weekend storms
PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has announced that its new online campsite and cabin reservations system is up and running. This good news followed reports that with the exception of a few downed trees and a temporary power outage at Kanopolis State Park, Kansas state parks survived unscathed by tornadoes that rampaged through the state on April 14.

Built by Active Network, Inc., a cloud-based activity and participant management™ solutions provider, the new system makes it easy to find and reserve campsites and cabins in the state parks as well as cabins at certain state fishing lakes and wildlife areas. It is hosted on ReserveAmerica.com, a media property of Active Network for camping reservations. The online registration system powered by ActiveWorks® cloud technology was launched on schedule just after midnight on Tuesday, April 17. KDWPT has not taken online or phone reservations since April 1 to allow programmers to move reservations made before April 1 into the new reservation system. As a result, there is no need for customers to renew existing reservations.

The new reservation system allows KDWPT to take its paper- and phone-based camping reservations process online for the first time, creating tremendous efficiencies for both park staff and consumers. The centralized system allows guests to search multiple camping and cabin sites simultaneously and make reservations from the comfort of their homes. In many cases, park users will save money through reduced service fees and will be assured a site if they have made a reservation. Additionally, the system will enable KDWPT park staff to more effectively manage their statewide parks and facilities, and benefit from centralized reporting and auditing.

To make campsite and cabin reservations, guests can visit the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com, where they’ll be directed to the new reservation site at reserveamerica.com, or they can call a KDWPT state park office or the Pratt Operations Office at 620-672-5911. For the location of the nearest Kansas state park office, go to the KDWPT website and click “State Parks/Locations.” For those without computers or who still prefer using a phone, park staff will be able to use the new system to help callers with reservations.

The number of campsites available for reservation will vary by park – in most parks about half of the sites can be reserved. The rest will be available through the traditional “first-come, first-served” method. Shelter and group campground reservations will continue to be made only through the park office where the facilities are located.

For more information, contact the nearest KDWPT state park or phone the Pratt Operations Office, 620-672-5911, and ask for the Parks Division.
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KDWPT State Park Storm Damage Update

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 02:50:33 GMT

Saturday, April 14, 2012 - Storms cause damage at Kanopolis State Park

Due to Saturday storms, the Kanopolis State Park office and campgrounds are currently without power. We will keep updating Park conditions as the week moves forward.

As other State Parks storm damages are determined we will update this news item.

Sunday, April 15, 2012 - Power is back on at Kanopolis State Park. Some Parks have downed tree, these will be cleaned up during the week. All Parks are open.

UNDERAGE DRINKERS TARGETED ON PUBLIC LANDS

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:16:10 GMT

April 12, 2012
KDOT grant to help keep public land users safe
PRATT — Through a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation, natural resource officers with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism are targeting underage drinkers at Osage and Lyon state fishing lakes and Melvern and Pomona reservoirs this spring. The issue is especially problematic in late spring, when minors gather after prom and graduation festivities for parties on their own.

Similar operations in the past have netted arrests for minors possessing or consuming alcohol, as well as drugs and drug paraphernalia. Numerous cases of beer and other alcoholic beverages were seized and citations were issued. Parents or guardians were notified and required to come to the lakes to pick up their sons and daughters. Additionally, officers arrested and charged several adults with furnishing intoxicants to minors.

Natural resource officers are conducting similar efforts in other parts of the state to keep natural areas safe and clean and to help prevent tragedies that too often occur as a result of alcohol and drug abuse.

For more information, phone the KDWPT Pratt Operations Office, Law Enforcement Division, at 620-672-5911.
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KANSAS STATE PARKS PREPARE FOR BUSY SEASON

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:32:47 GMT

April 5, 2012
April marks beginning of park season
PRATT — Great outdoor adventures are waiting at Kansas state parks. The early warm-up this spring has whetted the appetites of campers, boaters, and anglers, and your state parks are ready.

In addition to camping, boating, fishing, hiking, and biking, a variety of special events are planned throughout the state to enhance the state park experience. Some events are in conjunction with Free Park Entrance Days; some celebrate a special historical event or geological attribute of an individual park; and others are just for entertainment. Each park sets its own dates for these events.

Events are diverse and may include anything from a marathon race to boating courses and equestrian events. Many are educational, and all make visiting Kansas state parks more enjoyable. For more information on state park events, phone individual parks or click the "Event Calendar" on the State Parks page of the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com.

Park goers are urged to phone the park they intend to visit before traveling. Telephone numbers of all state parks offices may be found on the KDWP website. Click "State Parks" at the top of the page, then "Locations" in the left-hand column. A short conversation with local park staff will provide information on campsite availability, park conditions, current visitation rates, and answers to other questions. KDWPT is currently in the process of installing a new reservation system, so no new reservations will be taken until April 17.

Although few events are currently scheduled for April, each month gets busier as the air and water warm. April events include the following:

April 6-8 — 2nd Annual Luke Nihart Memorial Turkey Hunt (youth/disabled) at Tuttle Creek and Milford state parks;
April 7 — Kansas Ultra Runners' Society Rockin' K Trail Runs at Kanopolis State Park;
April 14-15 — Heart of America German Shorthair Pointer Club AKC Field Trial & Hunt Test at Hillsdale State Park;
April 20-21 — Spoon Creek Chapter Fellowship of Christian Cowboys Trail Ride at Hillsdale State Park;
April 21 — second annual benefit ride to send combat troops packages at El Dorado State Park (phone American Legion, 316-323-3982);
April 21 — Hays Bass Anglers Association Fishing Tournament at Wilson State Park;
April 21 — 9th Annual Corps of Engineers Clinton Reservoir Clean Up at Clinton State Park;
April 21 — Kansas Buddy Bass Tournament at Eisenhower State Park; and
April 28 — OK Kids Day and Free Entrance at Cheney State Park.

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