NEWS RELEASES
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved and first published through the Moberly Monitor's website.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announces new Missouri State Parks Director Mike Sutherland, and one of his priorities is to open for public Bryant Creek State Park, among others. Sutherland, who has been assistant director for the past 2 1/2 years, was named parks director last month. Sutherland is an avid hiker, backpacker, mountain biker and kayaker; and he understands that travelers are eager to see Bryant Creek state park open, as well as Ozark Mountain, Jay Nixon and Eleven Point state parks.
Springfield News-Leader writer, Wes Johnson, relays in his article, "All four [state parks] were added to the state park system under former Gov. Jay Nixon, but remain closed as state park officials prepare management plans and hear public comments about them." Sutherland said 2,917-acre Bryant Creek State Park, in Douglas County southeast of Ava, is furthest along in that process. Sutherland says, “Our evaluation is that people hope it will stay a fairly wild place — that’s the character they want. I am hoping that potentially as early as late this year, but more likely next year, that we’ll be able to lay out the basic trails and day-use areas. We still have to evaluate what resources and partnerships are available.” As state parks director, Sutherland heads a department within DNR with a $68 million operating budget, covering 91 state parks and historic sites.
Read more on the plans of the new State Parks Director here.