GFP News - June 6, 2012

     

    • Annual Fort Sisseton Historical Festival Hosts Large Crowd
    • Boat Ramp Project Underway at Farm Island
    • South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger Donates Meals To Those In Need
    • Wall Lake Road Work Scheduled
    • Plans to Attend Father's Day Weekend Events in South Dakota Parks
    • Rocky Point Recreation Area Offers Summer Nature Camp for Kids

    Annual Fort Sisseton Historical Festival Hosts Large Crowd

    FORT SISSETON HISTORIC STATE PARK, S.D. - June 1, 2 and 3 drew large crowds to Fort Sisseton Historic State Park near Lake City, SD for the 35th Annual Historical Festival.

    "We had about twice as many campers as we did in 2011 and about 15 percent more day visitors," stated Katie Ceroll, Park Manager. "The nice weather played a factor in attendance and helped draw people to the festival."

    The festival featured a variety of historic, cultural and military-related events, including musicians, Native American dancers, chuck wagon cooking, a rendezvous camp, military demonstrations and a costume ball complete with a grand march. The festival also allowed an opportunity for visitors to explore the fort's 14 buildings. Each building is a separate exhibit, providing visitors with a full account of the fort's use and history.

    The Fort Sisseton Historical Festival is held annually during the first weekend of June. The festival is just one of many special events held throughout the year. Others include Lantern Tours, Junior Naturalist Programs and the Frontier Christmas in December. The Fort also hosts Northern State University's summer theater productions on weekends in July.

    The park is open year-round and features guided first-person interpretive tours and a number of historical displays. Reservations for campsites and cabins at the park can be made by calling 1-800-710-2267 or by visiting www.campsd.com.

    Information on renting the South Barracks or other facilities for groups is available by calling 605-448-5474.

    For more information on Fort Sisseton Historic State Park and for a listing of upcoming events, visit www.gfp.sd.gov or call 605-448-5474.

    -GFP-

    Boat Ramp Project Underway at Farm Island

    PIERRE, S.D. - Construction crews will start work Wednesday, June 6, on a major improvement project at the west boat ramp at Farm Island Recreation Area. The project will improve the existing boat ramp and add a new parking area.

    "Silt build-up from the 2011 flood cut off access from Hipple Lake to the main channel," said District Park Supervisor, Ryan Raynor. "The improvements to the West boat ramp will accommodate boaters who wish to reach the main channel of the Missouri River from Farm Island."

    The gravel road that accesses the West boat ramp and the Farm Island trailhead on Lewis and Clark trail will be closed during the project. The Lewis and Clark Trail itself will not be affected.

    The project will involve heavy equipment, and for safety reasons, Raynor asks park users to stay out of the area during construction.

    The project is expected to be done in early July.

    For more information, contact Farm Island Recreation Area at 605-773-2885.

    -GFP-

    South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger Donates Meals To Those In Need

    PIERRE, S.D. - At its recent annual meeting in Custer State Park, the South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger (SAH) Board of Directors reported that hunters donated 78,735 pounds of game meat to needy individuals and families across the state last year.

    Although the total pounds of donated meat dropped 25 percent in 2011, donations in 2010 were record large.

    "A reduction of donations in 2011 was not a surprise to us because deer and antelope populations were reduced during severe winters the past few years," noted Jeff Olson, President of SAH. "It is a double-edged sword for us. One goal of the program is to reduce the number of deer in areas where landowners are having problems, and that part is working well. What we do not like to see is the number of pounds to the needy drop, as demand and need for this meat is high."

    One of the highlights from 2011 was the implementation of a new goose donation program. SAH worked with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to allow hunters to donate geese harvested in the August Management Take. SAH would like to expand donations from other waterfowl seasons and plans to begin discussions with management agencies this summer.

    "Those who benefited from the donated meat would like to send a big 'Thank You' to all the donors and volunteers for yet another great year for the program," Olson said. "Many people contributed to the continuing success of SAH this past year, including sportsmen who donated game animals, game processors who worked with us to process the animals, and food pantries that accepted and distributed the donated meat."

    Olson also thanks hunters, private donors and SAH volunteers for their generosity and help in making the program a big success.

    To learn more about South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger, visit its website at www.feedtheneedsd.com

    -GFP-

    Wall Lake Road Work Scheduled

    HARTFORD, S.D. - The access road and parking lot servicing Wall Lake Lakeside Use Area near Hartford will be under construction Thursday, June 14, weather permitting.

    "The scheduled fog seal will finish the chip seal work that was done last week," said Travis Theilen, District Park Supervisor at Palisades State Park. "The work should be completed in one day."

    The work will require the lakeside use area to be closed to vehicle traffic and parking.

    "At this time, we expect the work to take place on the scheduled day of Thursday, June 14. A rain date taking place the following week will be determined if necessary," said Theilen.

    Contact Paliades State Park at 605-594-3824 for more information.

    -GFP-

    Make Plans to Attend Father's Day Weekend Events in South Dakota Parks

    PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota state parks will hold several special events over Father's Day weekend. The activities are a great way to spend a summer day with your family.

    Make plans to attend the following events:

    • The Big Mick, June 16, 5 a.m. MDT on the George S. Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills. Are you up for the challenge? Join us for this bike ride of the entire 109-mile Mickelson Trail in one day. Snacks and meals are provided. Info: 605-584-3896 or www.thebigmick.org
    • Treats for Dad, June 16, 10:30 a.m. CDT at Oakwood Lakes State Park near Volga. Make some treats for dad on Father's Day weekend! Info: 605-627-5441
    • Parrot Program, June 16, 11 a.m. CDT at Newton Hills State Park near Canton. Bring your family and lawn chairs to campsite 85E to learn about the Ensz family's eight parrots from all over the world. They will tell us all about what it is like to live with these friendly birds. Children under 12 years old need to be accompanied by an adult. Info: 605-987-2263
    • Stars in the Afternoon, June 16, 1 p.m. CDT at Newton Hills State Park near Canton. Learn about stars, planets and how a reflector telescope works. Participants will make a small craft to help in learning constellations. This program qualifies as a Junior Naturalist Program. Info: 605-987-2263
    • Lewis and Clark Homestead Day, June 16, 1-4 p.m. CDT at Pierson Ranch Recreation Area near Yankton. Enjoy an afternoon full of family activities. Make butter and candles, sample homemade ice cream, watch rope-making and spinning demonstrations or enter the homemade pie contest! Info: 605-668-2985
    • More Than One Way to Boil an Egg! Campfire Novelty Cooking, June 16, 2 p.m. CDT at Palisades State Park near Garretson. Learn how to cook on an open campfire with more than just a stick. You will learn how to boil an egg, cook muffins and more. Recipes and samples available. Info: 605-594-3824
    • Father’s Day Bluebird Box Workshop, June 16, 6 p.m. MDT at Angostura Recreation Area near Hot Springs. Gather at the host site at Cascade Campground to make a bluebird box for the mountain bluebirds of the area. Participants will learn what makes the mountain bluebirds special to the area and some tricks to entice them to use the crafted box. Bring a hammer and Dad! Info: 605-745-6996
    • Lantern Tour, June 16, 9:30 p.m. CDT at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park near Lake City. Tour historic Fort Sisseton by the light of a lantern. Learn about the people and events that make this historic site famous. Info: 605-448-5474
    • Lantern Hike, June 16, 9:30 p.m. CDT at Chief White Crane Recreation Area near Yankton. Discover the sights and sounds of the night during a hike on the Chief White Crane Trail. Info: 605-668-2985.

    Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. There is no cost to participate in any of the events; however, park entrance licenses are required.

    For more information on activities in the SD state parks, visit www.gfp.sd.gov, contact the individual park office, or call 605-773-3391.

    -GFP-

    Rocky Point Recreation Area Offers Summer Nature Camp for Kids

    BELLE FOURCHE, S.D. - Rocky Point Recreation Area near Belle Fourche will host a nature day camp for kids ages 7-12 on Wednesday, June 20.

    June has been proclaimed Great Outdoors Month by Gov. Dennis Daugaard, and the camp is a great opportunity for kids to explore the surrounding recreation area and focus on the outdoors.

    The theme of the June 20 day camp is Kids' Fishing Derby.

    "The kids will learn how to tie a fishing knot, take part in a casting contest and learn boat and water safety," said Brad Nelson, park manager. "We will also try out some tricks for cleaning the catch, and make fish prints to take home."

    The day camp will run from 9:30 a.m. to noon MDT.

    While the camp is geared for kids ages 7-12, younger children may attend if accompanied by adults. Parents should be sure their kids wear clothing appropriate for the weather and comfortable shoes for walking. Sandals are not appropriate. No snacks or refreshments will be provided, but kids are welcome to bring their own.

    Rocky Point Recreation Area will also host nature day camps for kids in July and August. On July 18, Follow that Footprint, Paw Print, Hoof Print, and on Aug. 4, kids will be Nature Explorers.

    Reservations are required for the camps and can be made by calling Rocky Point Recreation Area at 605-641-0023 or by e-mail at RockyPoint@state.sd.us.

    There is no fee for the camps; however a park entrance license is required.

    Rocky Point Recreation Area is located 8 miles east of Belle Fourche off Highway 212. For more information on the programming schedule throughout the summer season, visit SD State Parks on the Web at www.gfp.sd.gov or call 605-773-3391.

    -GFP-