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Conservation director outlines Morgan Creek growth, Penneken Ridge projects and unexpected lodge repairs
Summary
Linn County Conservation reported high park use after recent improvements, progress on Morgan Creek Lodge, campground expansion, and rot discovered under siding at Prairie Oak Lodge.
Dennis Greenmay, conservation director, briefed the board on April 22 about spring park operations, construction timelines and maintenance work across county parks. "We did open the campgrounds for the season on April 10," Greenmay said, adding that visitor counts at Morgan Creek have roughly tripled since recent development work and that trails are busy.
Major projects at Penneken Ridge Park include a two-year mountain-bike trail (now in year two), campground expansion with playground installation and tree planting, cabin final cleaning and furniture delivery, and completion of a dredging project for the boat concession. Greenmay said the county expects to begin taking campground reservations in the coming weeks and tentatively set a start date near mid-June. "We will probably... start taking reservations... in the next few weeks for a date certain like June 15," he said.
Morgan Creek Lodge construction began with pre-construction activity in mid-April and sitework in the weeks following; framing is expected later in the year. Greenmay said the lodge and new amenities have driven much of the increased visitation.
A maintenance surprise emerged when crews replacing siding on the Prairie Oak Lodge at Waanatee Park found substantial rot beneath the siding. "When they got in, got the siding off, they found that it was a good thing we're doing it because there's just rot all over in that building," Greenmay said. He reported the contract includes extra removal work, materials have been ordered and the project should be completed by May, with cosmetic repairs expected to hide the previous damage.
Greenmay asked the board to consider a joint meeting with the conservation board in May to review completed and underway projects at Penneken Ridge; supervisors agreed to attempt scheduling around May 19. He also described outreach to local groups and partners on trail work and technical assistance for neighborhood-led improvements near Beaver Park, and noted an increase in weekday and weekend use at parks close to the metro area.
"It has been really gratifying to see that that part just explode," he said of Morgan Creek, noting playground use and steady crowds. Greenmay closed by inviting supervisors to a joint conservation-board visit and to several new park events.
