John Martin Reservoir State Parks Meeting

This note came from The Valley Grocery in Hasty, Colorado, written by Karen Downey, Operations Manager, Corps of Engineers, John Martin Dam, Hasty, Colorado..

“A meeting will be held on 30 June 2011 between Colorado State Parks, Bent County Commissioners and The Corps of Engineers in an effort to keep areas open and under the control of Colorado State Parks. Also in attendance will be U.S Representative Cory Gardner’s District Representative Doris Morgan. It would be of great help if District Representative Doris Morgan and Commissioner Bill Long understood how local people feel about having the presence of Colorado State Parks at John Martin Reservoir.

Please forward your opinions and concerns to:

Doris Morgan: doris.morgan@mail.house.gov

Bill Long: billlong@centurytel.net”

This meeting will include discussion on the presently closed North Point Campground on the north shore of John Martin Dam, inside the park boundaries.

As I understand it, this particular meeting is closed to public attendance. There may be people here in Bent County as well as surrounding counties that would like to have input into this discussion. Though John Martin Reservoir State Park has not been here that many years, funding cuts and economic pressures seem to cause increasing fees and public restrictions for park usage; senior passes have almost doubled. Will further closures take place? Wouldn't it make sense to lower prices to increase visitor usage or let the Corps run the reservoir as it used to, without fees?
While meeting with Karen Downey today, the Corps Operations Manager, she mentioned that she would like to see the campground re-opened for use again. I found this attitude refreshing and in tune with local opinion I’ve heard throughout the valley.

How do you feel about John Martin State Park? Let your voice be heard. A public/open meeting of southeast Colorado residents with the Corps and Park representatives would allow the public....a stronger say in the management of their Public lands.

Contact Doris Morgan (Representative Cory Gardner) at doris.morgan@mail.house.gov or Bent County Commissioner Bill Long at billlong@centurytel.net and let your voice be heard.

Second Annual Hasty Days Near John Martin Dam

Mark your calendars everyone; Hasty, Colorado, will put on its annual day-of-days-to-play, exactly four weeks from today! Hasty Days is an all day event not to be missed. The first annual Hasty days, Sept. 6th, 2008, was a roaring success when hundreds of folks filled the small community of Hasty and made memories forever. More events are scheduled this year; your day will be full of choices for fun, food and play.

The Hasty-McClave Volunteer Fire Department will start the activities with a hearty pancake breakfast at the fire house, from 7 to 9 AM, fit for all kinds of appetites. The parade begins at 10 AM; $5 per entry with line-up at 9 AM. Come early; get a good place in line.

The Turner Antique Tractor/Lawnmower Pull begins at 11 AM. Last year, entries from several surrounding counties participated with some beautiful, unique and powerful machines. Pack plenty of water (Colleen will have lots of drinks available at the store). The Lawnmower race follows the Tractor Pull.

“Building the John Martin Reservoir” will show some local history and give a respite from the hard playing going on around town. John Martin Reservoir sits about a mile south of Hasty. A stunning example of Nature’s wonder - molded by humans, the reservoir stores large amounts of water for agriculture while providing all types of recreation for anyone interested in playing on the high prairie of southeastern Colorado.

John Martin Dam photo by Danielle Simone

If all the action and walking and old time country fun gets your tummy growling, Funnel Cakes will be available all day. A big yard sale will also run most of the day.

Enjoy lunch at Colleen's store, (Valley Grocery); $5/person, $3/8 and younger. You can’t beat that price for Colleen’s famous vittles! Don’t forget to ask for her world-famous chocolate pie!

The Pierce Bar-B-Q, starting at 6:30 PM, is the best in three counties. Trust me on this, I ate way too much of it last year! Cost is $11/person, $8/8 and younger.

The evening will cap off with Freddy Darnell and Country Gold from 8 to 11 PM. Bring your dancing shoes or boots and enjoy the cool breezes and full moon of a beautiful prairie evening in southeast Colorado. You will make unique, forever-memories for you and your family.

For further information contact Colleen at Valley Grocery, 719.829.4810.