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Lake McMurtry reports rising visitation and programming; interim director outlines outreach and events
Summary
Lake McMurtry interim director Jeremy Fansler reported about 44,418 visitors in the last year, a rise in annual passes and a range of programs including camping, youth adventure programming and the Orange Dirt Trail Series; staff corrected an attendance revenue figure during questions.
Jeremy Fansler, interim director at Lake McMurtry, briefed the Stillwater City Council on Sept. 8 about park visitation and programs, reporting that the park saw 44,418 visitors in the last year and that annual passes numbered 514. Fansler said the park hosted 14,418 RV and tent campers and that visitors came from 40 states and 163 communities; the most common source communities were Stillwater, Edmond, Guthrie, Oklahoma City and Enid.
Fansler described programs including a beginner backpacking clinic, basic kayaking, a six‑week adventure camp, Ride to Thrive youth cycling with area middle schools, the Orange Dirt Trail Series (a run on 37 miles of trails) and the community holiday event Lights on the Lake. During questions a councilor asked whether the 14,418 camper figure counted individual campers or camping days; Fansler answered that the number represented individual campers and later corrected a revenue figure to state the parks revenue number was $300,000 (the presenter initially misstated the figure on a slide).
Fansler said he began as interim director three months earlier and had prior experience operating outdoor adventure camps; councilors welcomed his leadership and thanked Lake McMurtry staff for work to increase visitation and programming. Councilors praised the park as a community asset and noted youth programming and trail events as community benefits. No council action was required; the presentation was informational.
