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Park staff reports progress on Lookout, Cote D'Oree and dam projects; camping demand and water quality updates reported
Summary
Park staff reported near‑completion items at Lookout Park and Cote D'Oree, progress on Blacktail bypass and boat landing, heavy weekend camping demand at several parks, a small fireworks‑started grass fire, a blue‑green algae sample submitted for testing, and submission of 3.19 grant reimbursements for the first half of the year.
Park staff updated the Park Board on master plan implementation, construction punch‑list items and camping usage across the park system, and reported a water‑quality sampling response after a blue‑green algae sighting.
Staff said Lookout Park is nearly complete but still requires an irrigation water connection and a corrected handicap parking slope. At Cote D'Oree staff reported a few final items: plumbing wrap‑ups, five remaining trees to plant and finishing sealer for comfort station floors. At Blacktail staff said the bypass road is being surfaced in layers: the contractor will place a first lift and reopen it to traffic until the final layer is installed later in the year. A new boat landing slab has been poured and installed in stages; staff expects the second slab pour and completion soon.
On camping operations staff said Little Egypt and Epping have been especially busy, with many RV and tent sites full on weekends and increased mid‑week use. Cote D'Oree has also been busy on weekends but shows more weekday availability as users become familiar with the site. Staff described several recent incidents: a fireworks‑started grass fire at Little Egypt that responders and campers extinguished before the fire department arrived (staff estimated the burned area at under a quarter acre, perhaps closer to a tenth), and a stranded oversized camper that required staff assistance to remove.
Staff also reported a sighting of potential blue‑green algae at McGregor and that staff had sent a sample for laboratory analysis. Springwood Dam was inspected after a caller reported algae; staff found only ordinary green algae along some shoreline areas and submitted a sample out of caution. Staff said cool weather should help reduce algae growth over the coming week.
Financially, staff said they had submitted the first half of the year’s invoices for reimbursement under the 3.19 program; those reimbursements will cover eligible work performed to date. Separately, staff said design work has started on Epping Springbrook Dam entrance improvements, with the goal of putting the drive‑out portion of the project out to bid before the end of the year and possibly beginning construction this fall.
Board members asked clarifying questions about irrigation connections, parking slope corrections and timing of punch‑list items. No formal actions or budget appropriations were taken during the update; staff will return with final completion dates and any procurement needs.
