By Stephen Dawkins

Minooka Park continues to become more of an asset to Chilton County and an attraction to out-of-towners that would consider visiting here.
The latest news about the park is that it received a $5,000 reimbursable grant from CAWACO Resource Conservation and Development and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
The grant helped improve water quality in the park’s lake through a fertilization program that aids fish production and growth. What it means for Minooka visitors is that the fish in the lake—which include bream, bluegill, largemouth bass and grass carp—are no longer solely catch and release.
The new creel limits are five bass and 25 bream or bluegill per fisherman. I enjoy fishing for sport just as much as the next guy, but I’m sure there are many county residents that want the opportunity to fish for supper.
Though the park’s main attraction is its trails for ATVs and dirt bikes, Minooka now has something for hikers, horseback riders, picnickers, campers, those just looking for a leisurely stroll, and all types of fishermen—even beginners.
The grant also helped pay for several rod and reel combos that may be checked out by park visitors and a worm bed near the lake. A potential fisherman can show up at the park with nothing but patience and find inside everything he or she needs to take home a stringer of fish.
You may not even need patience. When I was at Minooka last spring, many large bass could be seen patrolling the shoreline.
If park and county officials keep this up, pretty soon no one will have a reason not to go to Minooka.

– Stephen Dawkins is the assistant managing editor of The Clanton Advertiser.

I am writing this letter in hopes of encouraging Chilton County residents to take advantage of a wonderful resource we have available located here in Chilton County.
I, along with several other committee members, recently had the opportunity to plan a faculty/staff Christmas party for Jemison Middle School. When original plans fell through as to the “where,” I immediately decided to try to contact Minooka Park in Jemison about the possibility of hosting it out there.
I was out there last December to check out the grounds for a professional development activity for our teachers, so I knew it would be a great place to go. Plus, all of the people I work with who had not been out there in many years would have the perfect opportunity to revisit an “old friend.”
Gerald Arrington, the park manager, was extremely helpful in assisting us plan our party. Not only did he help us get everything organized but accommodated our requests for seating.
He decorated the office and rooms where we would be having the party.
We had a nice, warm fireplace inside and even enjoyed the spacious deck with the aid of fire pits we brought. All we had to do was show up.
Not being from Chilton County originally, I do not have the fondness of Minooka Park that some of my people who are Chilton County natives hold. I do not know what it looked like before the restoration, but I can honestly say that is it something to behold now.
I encourage all of you to take advantage of the many resources Minooka Park has to offer. Not only can you walk miles and miles of trails, ride ATVs, or just enjoy the beautiful scenery, but you, too, can rent the building for a nominal fee.
I feel confident in saying that Mr. Arrington welcomes anyone who desires to rent the facilities at Minooka.
Our faculty and staff thoroughly enjoyed having our party out at Minooka Park and are already planning on having our next one at the end of the year out there as well.
Thanks to all of the people who worked on restoring Minooka Park, who work to maintain it, and those who are constantly striving to improve it because it is truly one of Chilton County’s treasures!
If you have not visited Minooka lately or in years like so many of my fellow teachers, I hope you will add it to your to do list very soon.
– Shonda Copen, Jemison Middle School

By Justin Averette

A new, 18-site campground will be built at Minooka Park, after a 4-3 vote Monday by the Chilton County Commission.
The decisive vote hinged on the campground’s $86,000 cost to Chilton County.
Commissioners Heedy Hayes, Allen Caton, Bobby Agee and Red Turnipseed approved the construction bids. Commission chairman Tim Mims, Greg Moore and Joe Headley voted against funding the project.
The county has $172,000 left from a grant given by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to help build the campsite off U.S. 31. The state awarded Chilton County the grant back in 2005.
The project must be under contract by Jan. 1, 2010, or the money will be given to another county, according to Park Manager Gerald Arrington.
“If we don’t spend this $172,000, we won’t likely get another grant,” said vice-chairman Allen Caton.
The campground’s construction totals $227,000 — most of which will be paid by the grant. That money will cover laying concrete slabs at all the campsites and installing power and sewage lines.
Chilton County’s match for the project comes up to approximately $43,000.  The commission decided to spend another $11,000 to cover all the upgrades and an additional $31,000 to pave the main road inside the park’s entrance and around the campsites.
Most commissioners who voted for the project say a campground will pay for itself over time with camping fees.
“This is the only thing Chilton County has right now that will make money,” said commissioner Heedy Hayes. “When you get this thing filled up, it will stay filled up.”
Arrington said he receives constant questions about the camp’s facilities.
“We’re getting a lot of interest for a full-service campground,” Arrington said. “I think it’s good to spend the remainder of this grant money on something that is revenue producing…I think it will bring a lot more people into the park that haven’t visited before.”
Mims said he would have supported paying for the campsites but not spending more money to pave the road.
Work on the project could start within two weeks, Arrington said.
Phase II of the project, which hasn’t secured any funding, would add another 14 campsites at Minooka Park.
The park offers fishing, hiking and ATV opportunities. For information, visit minookapark.org.

By Justin Averette

The Chilton County Commission voted to take bids on the campground being built at Minooka Park.

The commission voted 5-1 to take bids on the project. Commissioner Joe Headley voted no.

The county has a $172,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to build a campsite at the park off U.S. 31.

The project must be under contract by Jan. 1, 2010, or the money will be given to another county.

Phase 1 of the project will include 16 or 17 campsites as well as power and water improvements.

“We want people to feel like they are camping in the woods, not crammed in an RV park,” said Park Manager Gerald Arrington.

The grant requires a 20 percent match, but site work and other county contributions can be applied against the cost, Arrington said.

By Scott Mims

Chilton County’s two major parks, Higgins Ferry Park and Minooka Park, have seen many improvements in recent months. But when you drive along major highways, something seems to be missing — park signs.

Officials at both parks want to put up signage either along Interstate 65 or near an exit on county right-of-way.

Frank Atkinson, park ranger at Higgins Ferry on Lake Mitchell, said signs could boost park business and in turn help the local economy. Atkinson said he observed a large number of RVs pulling into Love’s Travel Stop off I-65 Exit 208, which is just eight miles from the park. Recently, a tourist asked where the nearest RV park was, and a friend of Atkinson’s directed him to the campground at Higgins Ferry.

“I’m just wondering how many times that’s happened,” Atkinson said.

The park just added nine new RV campsites and offers a total of 29 campsites in addition to primitive camping.

While Higgins Ferry sees plenty of visitors during tournaments and weekends, Atkinson said most locals don’t stay past Sunday.

“We could use some more business through the week,” he said. “The county needs all the extra money they can get, and every little bit helps.”

While Atkinson has faced roadblocks trying to put up signs on the Interstate due to the proximity of the park to the exit, he says there shouldn’t be any issues getting one put up on County Road 28 across from Love’s, which he says is county right-of-way.

Unfortunately, Minooka Park Manager Gerald Arrington has had more difficulty with signs.

He recently put up two signs made from heavy gauge aluminum along Highway 31 advertising the ATV and wilderness park, located north of Jemison. After about three months, however, a state road crew reportedly removed the signs and delivered them back to Arrington.

“They told me I didn’t have permission to put up the signs,” he said, adding that the signs were later replaced with much smaller versions.

When inquiring about Interstate signage, Arrington has pretty much gotten nowhere.

“I’ve really spent a lot of time and effort with the letters, pictures and correspondents with very little results so far,” he said.

Arrington wants to place signs along County Road 42 near Exit 219, and possibly at the intersection of 42 and U.S. 31 in Jemison. He said this would increase awareness of the park as well as direct motorists who are unfamiliar with the area.

“When people call me, the two main questions I get are what are your hours and how do you get there?” he said.

Both parks have links on the county’s Web site, www.chiltoncounty.org.