Advisers discuss Strutino campground and long‑term bike‑skills park; costs, grants uncertain

Members of the Fort Scott parks advisory group discussed two longer‑term ideas: converting city land near Strutino (called Shrutino/Strutino in notes) into a low‑cost RV/campground and developing a dedicated bike‑skills park on recently purchased acreage.

For the Strutino site, speakers said it could be an ideal location for a small, lower‑cost RV park with water nearby and sewer lines running past the site; they suggested gravel or dirt pads with some full‑hookup spaces, rental limits (suggested 14 days maximum to avoid long‑term worker occupancy), and modest amenities such as vending or laundry. Members said a city campground could be priced below regional RV parks that charge $70–$80 a night and could attract longer‑term travelers and visitor traffic into Fort Scott.

On the bike‑skills park, members described erosion and drainage concerns with a dirt facility and noted that a lasting surface would likely require asphalt or asphalt millings. One speaker estimated a multi‑year project and gave a broad range of possible costs; members discussed interim, lower‑cost approaches such as shaping terrain and using slurry coats or asphalt millings, and the possibility of negotiating with contractors to supply material or perform initial shaping. The committee noted that large grants would likely be required for a full‑scale paved facility and that current grant availability is limited.

Members agreed the campground concept and the bike‑skills park are worth pursuing as multi‑year projects but that both depend on further study, grant opportunities and partnerships; they asked staff to continue preliminary outreach and to return with more detailed cost and feasibility information.