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Cit~ of Paris <br /> <br />Study of Lake Crook <br /> <br />March, 2001 <br /> <br />be cleared, unpaved paths through the ~oods with underbrush pulled back away from the trail <br />for safety sake. In some unusually steep creek crossings areas foot-style bridges Would be needed <br />and culverts would be installed in major drainage paths. Signage along the trail would identify <br />location, mile marker, and hazards. Nature identification signs could be placed to point out flora <br />and fauna encountered along the trail. Maintenance of the tra'fl will be inexpensive but still <br />required. Signs fi.om time to time must be re-set and brush continually cut back fi.om the trail. <br /> <br />In the past decade, the Archers for Christ have leased much ofthls property for bow hunting and <br />for trail type target shooting. Under optlon 2, Archers for Christ could occaslonally use the north <br />shore for the same activity but with time constraints. Special events could be staged but when <br />the events are over the park reverts back to full public use. Areas used by the archers west of <br />Caviness Road would remain unimproved and available for hunting and target shooting by the <br />Archers with fewer restrictions. There need be no 'time sharing' of this portion of the Lake <br />Crook habkat. <br /> <br />The Wild Turkey Federation has expressed an interest in re-populating the north and western <br />shores o f Lake Crook with turkey if there are no residences built under the approved development <br />plan. <br /> <br />In the public opinion surveys, several individuals suggested the need for wilderness camping areas <br />for scouts and other groups to use. Our opinion is that the peninsula of land jutting between the <br />two fmgers of Lake Crook would be ideal for such a camp. Access to proposed restrooms and <br />parking lots can be controlled at Caviness Road to reduce unauthorized use. The wilderness <br />camp could have minimal improvements such as earth paths and nature trails which are not <br />expensive to construct. <br /> <br />The north shore between the dam and F.M. 1499 is proposed in Option 2 in the long term as <br />another large, well improved public park perhaps several years after the south shore development <br />is completed. There is adequate room, between 100 and 200 acres, abutting F.M. 1499 to <br />construct numerous group picnic shelters and looping park roads. A north shore boat ramp and <br />fishing pier will eventually be needed and an excellent site for an amphitheater exists already. A <br />large rustic playground structure would be a welcome addition to this park as the population of <br />Paris expands northward. <br /> <br /> We have included in Option 2 an RV campground currently shown in the south shore park but <br /> conceivably this RV campground could be placed on the north shore instead where access to U.S. <br /> 271 is much easier and where there would be little interference with other day users as there <br /> would be in the south shore park. Our experience with these type campgrounds shows that with <br /> very little advertising such a campground can attract overflow fi.om state and federal parks. We <br /> recommend controlled access and preferably a full-time lake/campground caretaker, perhaps even <br /> certified as a peace officer or warden. The caretaker should reside at the park or near the dam <br /> and oversee payment ofcamp'mg fees, maintenance of improvements, and watch out for illegal <br /> or ill advised activities on the land or in the water. A similar development on Lake Hawkins in <br /> Wood County catches overflow fi'om Tyler State Park and nets the county some $60,000 per <br /> <br />Page 27 of 45 <br /> <br /> <br />