News Release No. 397

BOARDWALK CLOSES FOR RECONSTRUCTION
AT BIG OAK TREE STATE PARK

Volume 32-397

Contact: Sue Holst

(For immediate release)

573-751-6510

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 13, 2004 -- The boardwalk trail at Big Oak Tree State Park near East Prairie has been closed temporarily for reconstruction, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced today.

The current boardwalk will be removed and will be replaced with a wider and sturdier steel boardwalk constructed in sections. The new boardwalk will follow the same path as the old one, resulting in little or no disturbance to the natural setting of the park. Work will be suspended for a short time beginning in May 2005, at which time the department plans to open the completed section to the public. The boardwalk will close again in August as construction begins again on the remaining section. The entire boardwalk, which will be approximately 3,000 feet long, is expected to be completed in 2006.

The cost of the project will be approximately $200,000 and is being funded by the one-tenth-of-one-percent parks-and-soils sales tax. The park's picnic area and small lake will remain available during the construction of the new boardwalk.

The boardwalk provides easy access for visitors to view the park's unique landscape. It traverses through large trees, including state champion and baldcypress trees, and above the swampy land where they thrive. The 1,069-acre park is considered a National Natural Landmark.

Big Oak Tree State Park is located 14 miles south of East Prairie on Highway 102 in Mississippi County. For more information, contact the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf).

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the departments upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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