More than 100 people turn out for first look at new Bryant Creek State Park

More than 100 people braved near-freezing temperatures Sunday for the first guided hike at the newly acquired Bryant Creek State Park near Rockbridge. Organizers on site told the <em>Times</em> they had expected around 60 people to attend and were pleasantly surprised by the larger-than-expected turnout. Missouri State Parks Director Bill Bryan welcomed the crowd and introduced several other state park employees who led attendees on a choice of three hikes ranging in difficulty from a strenuous trek to an easy stroll.
“It’s really an honor to be here with you for this first hike where Missourians get to visit and see one of our newest state parks,” Bryan said. “It’s a beautiful place.”
State naturalist Ken McCarty gave a brief overview of the state park land off N Highway north of Rockbridge that includes 2,917 acres formerly owned by Mark and Lynne Simpson and Simorg South Forests LLC. McCarty said the north section of the park is steeper and includes 2 miles of bluffs and hills along Bryant Creek, and the southern half of the park has a different type of geology altogether, including gentler rolling hills and less elevation change. Most of the area is blanketed with mature oak and pine forests, although some newer growth can be seen where the land was once logged. The Bryant Creek State Park page on the Missouri State Parks website says, “with its remote, rugged wildness of deep forest and shaded hollow, the new park will offer opportunities for backcountry exploration.”
Attendees broke into smaller groups for designated hikes through the wooded area in the north section of the park near a brick ranch-style home formerly owned by Mark and Lynne Simpson. The home is temporarily serving as the park headquarters. Currently no trails have been cut into the northern section of the park. Officials said the southern section of the park does include some logging roads and trails that had been cut throughout the years.
The moderate hike, led by new Bryant Creek State Park Superintendent Carl Bonnell, covered about a mile of terrain including a 200- to 300-foot elevation change and some interesting water features including a small stream and some  waterfall spots that were dripping in icicles Sunday. Bonnell told attendees that he currently supervises the Table Rock State Park in Branson and has been employed with the state park system for 35 years.
“It’s exciting to be involved in this,” Bonnell told hikers as he led them through the woods. “Table Rock State Park is 356 acres in the middle of Branson. So it’s very different than this state park in terms of size and placement. I asked one group when they were out here on this property, ‘Do you hear that?’ They asked, ‘Hear what?’ I said, ‘Exactly.’ When you come out here you can’t hear noise from vehicles from nearby roads, helicopters in the air and Ride the Ducks down the street,” Bonnell said. “It’s really great that there are still places like this in the country, in Missouri, where all you hear is what you’re supposed to hear.”
Several questions were asked by attendees about how the park would be developed and what amenities it would include. Bonnell explained that the current planning process would depend largely on feedback provided from area residents, along with analysis of the surrounding area and what could logistically be supported at the new state park location.
Other Missouri State Parks around the state include a total of 2,000 structures, 3,500 campsites, 194 cabins, nearly 2,000 picnic sites and more than 1,000 miles of trail. Two of the 88 state parks and historic sites, Finger Lakes State Park and St. Joe Park, include ATV trails.
The state park system also boasts the longest developed rails-to-trail project in the nation, the 240-mile Katy Trail State Park. The Missouri State Park system has been ranked as one of the top four state park systems in the nation on multiple occasions.
To provide feedback and concerns on the development and planning of  Bryant Creek State Park, visit mostateparks.com/newparks and click on “Bryant Creek State Park.” The form provides space to give input on what outdoor recreation facilities residents would like to see at the park, what elements residents view as important and any issues or concerns that should be addressed as the park is being planned. Residents who are unable to access a computer can call the Missouri State Parks system at 1-800-334-6946.
Bryant Creek State Park is currently closed to the public as the Missouri State Park system begins the development process, which will focus on natural resource stewardship.

<p>Park superintendent Carl Bonnell, far right, led one of several small groups of hikers through thick oak and pine forest Sunday afternoon in the newly acquired Bryant Creek State Park located just north of the Ozark County line in Douglas County near Rockbridge. Bonnell, who is also currently the Table Rock State Park superintendent, will split his time between the two locations.</p>

<p>More than 100 people trekked through the woods Sunday on a guided hike at the new Bryant Creek State Park north of Rockbridge. The park includes thick oak and pine forest, two miles of bluff along Bryant Creek and several water features including a small creek that runs to the left of the group in this photo.</p>

<p>Missouri State Parks Director Bill Bryan, pictured far left, state naturalist Ken McCarty, center, and new Bryant Creek State Park superintendent Carl Bonnell welcomed residents during an introduction to the new park Sunday before breaking the attendees into groups and leading them on guided hikes through the property.</p>

<p>The park includes thick oak and pine forest, two miles of bluff along Bryant Creek and several water features including this shelf-rock ledge dripping in icicles. A small creek runs over the shelf and through that area of the forest.</p>