GROUPS LEND HAND TO CRAWFORD STATE PARK
Donations of time and money help park through tight budget

GIRARD -- Ingenuity and local cooperation allow some state parks to make remarkable progress in spite of current budget constraints. Crawford State Park, near Girard, serves as a leading example of a public facility enjoying improvement during tough economic times.

"It's got a lot to do with volunteers," says park manager Dave Goble, who oversees a complex mixture of individuals, local agencies, and support groups involved with the park's active project list. "We're fortunate to have a terrific friends group at Crawford. This energetic bunch of people raises funds for the park through annual events like the triathlon and the mountain bike race. Americorps workers provide valuable help throughout the year, and the Crawford County Pritchett Trust provides substantial grant monies for projects that benefit children. Corporations such as Westar Energy provide matching monetary donations when their employees volunteer time at the park. All of this amounts to money and manpower for continuing projects that better the park each year."

In fact, thousands of dollars have recently come to the park through donations, money that helps fund needed improvements. But careful planning stretches the money even further. Cooperation with local businesses often benefits both partners. Rural electric cooperative chipper crews, for example, must often travel long distances to dump the tons of chips generated when clearing lines. Crawford provided a free dump site and uses the wood chips to improve camp sites throughout the park. Money is saved by both parties, and the state park is improved without expense. The power company also donated used power poles that were also used to improve campsites, and fill dirt for construction was secured from other businesses.

Thanks to such arrangements, trades, volunteers, and donations, Crawford has enjoyed substantial improvements in the past two years. Currently, a complete makeover of the beach area and adjoining shelter house is in progress. It is expected to be ready by spring camping season. A dozen shaded picnic tables in the sand beach area will accompany a new children's playground. The shelter house is being enlarged and equipped with new outdoor grills. All park campsites have been redefined, re-bedded, and fitted with asphalt approaches. A new group campground facility is nearing completion, and the trail system is being improved and expanded. Other recent additions include a new laundromat and park amphitheater. Most facilities have been upgraded to handicapped-accessible.

Like all agencies, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is limited by current state budgetary constrictions. But Crawford State Park is an example of how community involvement can overcome these difficulties, benefitting all Kansans.