JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MAY 24, 2017 – Don Robinson State Park, a quiet retreat from the bustling city, will be dedicated Friday, June 2. Missouri State Parks will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. in the day-use area of the park, which is located southeast of Pacific in northwest Jefferson County. The public is invited to attend.
The new state park is the result of the generosity of Don Robinson, who spent his lifetime acquiring the rugged and wooded countryside in Jefferson County. It was his wish that after his death, his personal sanctuary would become part of the Missouri state park system.
During the dedication, the keynote speaker will be Carol S. Comer, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Other speakers will include Michael Magliari and Frank Curotto from Don Robinson’s estate, and John Riddick from the Missouri State Parks Foundation.
Following the ceremony, park staff will lead a 1.2-mile hike on the paved section of the park’s Sandstone Canyon Trail, one of two trails that showcase the park’s natural features. Today, the park is considered among Missouri’s best places to conserve native wildlife and habitat. The land is in the upper watershed of the LaBarque Creek, a high quality stream that supports 42 species of fish. The park includes a network of sandstone cliffs and box canyons, outcrops, shelter caves, glades and forests as well as many animals, songbirds and approximately 650 species of plants.
During the dedication, Big O Tires will provide free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks for visitors at the park.
In addition to the trails, the park features a peaceful day-use area with individual picnic tables and a picnic shelter. The park also includes the home where Robinson lived and welcomed frequent visitors to his wooded retreat.
Exploring the park on its trail system is a perfect way to celebrate National Trails Day on June 3. National Trails Day, sponsored by the American Hiking Society, offers events throughout the United States to promote awareness of the benefits that trails provide and to encourage people to discover their local trails.
Missouri State Parks is celebrating 100 years in 2017. Visitors can experience all the park system has to offer with the Centennial Passport. Visit http://mostateparks.com/passport for more information.
To reach the park from Interstate 44 in Eureka, visitors should head south on Highway 109, turn right on Highway F, left on Highway FF (it becomes Lynch Road once it reaches Jefferson County), right on Byrnesville Road and then right into the park. For more information about the event, call 636-257-3788. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit http://mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
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Photos of the park are available on Missouri State Parks' Flickr account at https://www.flickr.com/photos/mostateparks/albums/72157665605167642