By Scott Mims

The Chilton County Commission voted 4-3 Monday night to pave the entrance road to Minooka Park, also known as County Road 146, for $52,000 in funding that will come out of the park’s account.

In his motion, Commissioner Red Turnipseed made it clear that the project was not to take priority over existing projects on roads elsewhere in the county.

Commissioners Tim Mims, Greg Moore and Joe Headley each voted “nay” on the measure.

The discussion to pave the park entrance road arose from a report by Park Manager Gerald Arrington on the recent completion of new RV campgrounds at Minooka, which is located off U.S. 31 between Jemison and Calera.

“They all ask about that road,” Arrington said, referring to the now unpaved 1.9-mile entrance road, or 146.

Commissioner Allen Caton, who looks over park and recreation, said the dirt road has deterred companies from bringing promotional items to the park.

County Engineer Tony Wearren presented three different figures for the estimated project cost. It would cost about $52,000 to pave the road with chip seal, about $286,000 to pave it with asphalt, and just more than $130,000 to pave one layer of asphalt riding surface over chip seal.

“It’s not as strong but you’re still riding on asphalt,” said Wearren, explaining the third option.

A majority of commissioners decided to go with the most inexpensive option. But before the voting took place, Mims disagreed with the proposed project’s timing.

“It is absolutely absurd for us to go pave that road with county funds when we’ve got roads in this county in the shape they’re in,” Mims said.

Although Commissioner Heedy Hayes ultimately voted “yea,” he was troubled by the uncertainty shown by some commissioners.

“I really think we need to look at where we are and what we’ve got,” Hayes said.

Caton then explained that because the money would be coming out of Minooka Park’s fund, which currently contains about $61,000, it could not be used for other things. Arrington also said the park would be getting a final grant reimbursement of $172,987 from the clearing of a 2005 grant, but this process might take a few months.

“There’s money in the Minooka Park fund to pay for this,” Caton said.

Commissioner Bobby Agee brought up the point that the rising cost of paving materials was not going to make the project any easier in the future.

“We talked about this two years ago, and the cost then was considerably lower than it is now,” Agee said.

Turnipseed had originally withdrawn his motion but later made a new motion with the provision that the road would not be paved until other projects ranked above it were completed.

Mims also asked if money taken out of the trade school fund to pay park workers’ salaries could be repaid to the fund. Attorney John Hollis Jackson said it could be done but that the original transactions were legal.

Mims told commissioners that if the park ran like a business, it would ultimately pay for its own workers.

By Scott Mims

Minooka Park’s dot on the map just got a little bigger.

The North Chilton County park’s trail system has been designated as a national recreation trail.

The 25 miles of ATV, dirt bike, hiking and horseback riding trails at Minooka were among 31 trails in 15 states to be added to the National Trails System, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced last week.

“Minooka Park will be included in several national publications on trails and will receive several markers to go on the trail system with that designation on it,” Park Manager Gerald Arrington said. “It’s just one more way to get Minooka Park’s name out there, and it’s an honor to be chosen.”

Some of Minooka’s trails are specifically designed and constructed for ATVs and off-road motorcycles. The dirt bike enthusiast looking for more technical trails can check out miles of single track. Horseback riders can choose from trails featuring beautiful views, creeks, and the opportunity to see wildlife.

Hikers have wooded nature trails and a 1-mile walking trail around the lake. The walking trail around the lake, along with five fishing piers and a large deck overlooking the lake, is handicap accessible.

With the designation, Minooka’s trail system joins a network of more than 1,000 previously designated trails that total more than 12,500 miles.

The announcement comes in anticipation of National Trails Day on June 5, when trail dedications and other activities will take place at new and existing trails.

“I hope that millions of Americans will take advantage of the opportunities provided by our national trails to embrace a fuller, healthier lifestyle,” Salazar said in a national press release.

Last month, President Obama launched the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative to protect special places and to help Americans reconnect to the outdoors. More information on the initiative can be found at doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors.

Meanwhile, First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative is promoting a healthier lifestyle for children by encouraging them to eat healthier foods and become more physically active.

The national recreation trail program is jointly administered by the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service in conjunction with a number of other federal and nonprofit partners, notably American Trails, which hosts the national recreation trails website at americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails.

By Scott Mims

An effort is underway to reintroduce Bald Cypress trees to Minooka Park and surrounding areas.

Two Bald Cypress seedlings were planted on a small island on Minooka Lake in March. The trees are intended to beautify the area as well as propagate new growth.

The trees were donated by Cawaco Resource Conservation and Development and the Buxahatchee Creek Watershed Restoration Project.

“They used to be here, but there aren’t many to be found anymore,” said Glenn Littleton, watershed coordinator with the Buxahatchee Creek Watershed Restoration Project. “Minooka Park seemed to be an ideal location. The island was a great location where they won’t be disturbed.”

Bald Cypress trees in some ways resemble pines, but they are deciduous trees that turn from green to orange-brown in the fall. They are commonly found near water and are known for their “knees,” or wide root structure seen above the normal water level.

“They should take off real well as wet as it stays there,” Park Manager Gerald Arrington said. “It will take several years. They’re small seedlings, but one day they should be pretty out there.”

Meanwhile, Minooka’s ever-expanding trails are becoming more visible through tourism programs. Minooka is now part of the Passport to Fitness, a project of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to promote the state’s many fitness opportunities.

Minooka is included in a 150-page booklet of walking and hiking trails across Alabama. The book has color photos, maps and other useful information. Participants can visit each area and check off each location with special “stamps” that are obtained from state parks.

The Passport to Fitness books are available at the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce. An interactive Web site may be found at http://adeca.alabama.gov/C4/PTF/default.aspx.

“It was free for the park,” Arrington said. “Each location gets 100 of these books. It’s just one more way for us to get our name out there.”

Minooka Park has two miles of trails exclusive to walking and hiking. One mile is a handicap-accessible gravel trail that circles the lake, and a connecting trail is slightly more difficult. Several miles of trails may be used by both hikers and ATV riders.

Six miles of horseback riding trails were recently completed at the park. These trails may also be used by side-by-side utility vehicles.

Arrington said the RV campground is still under construction. When complete, it will include 18 new sites.

“We expect to be pouring concrete pads within the next week,” Arrington said.

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.