SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - Flowing like a clear, blue ribbon, Sinking Creek carves an endless, undulating path along the base of a towering black cliff rimmed with trees.
The limestone face leans outward, scoured and undercut by eons of water. Voices that reach the wall's concave surface reflect back - hence Echo Bluff's name, the Springfield News-Leader (http://sgfnow.co/1PzG67E) reported.
For now, though, the monumental dolomite limestone cliff reflects the grinding sounds of road graders, cement mixer trucks and construction crews hard at work building Missouri's newest state park.
The 410 acres of Ozarks scenery - once notoriously known as a drug-fueled outdoor concert venue - is on track to be open to the public this time next year. It's an easy drive about 21/2 hours east of Springfield and 20 minutes north of Eminence in Shannon County.
"I want to make sure people know what we're doing with this place," said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, during a recent tour of the construction work and scenic areas. "When people look back at this they are going to be glad we did it."
The $62 million project, less than a mile south of Current River State Park and 45 minutes from Montauk State Park, is getting a radical makeover from the way its previous owner used the land. The term "Schwagstock" will be familiar to many in the Ozarks who traveled to the oft-described hippie haven to experience music festivals put on by Jimmy Tebeau.
A musician and concert promoter, Tebeau bought the former youth summer camp known as "Camp Zoe" in 2004, and put on free-spirit open-air concerts featuring his band The Schwag, which delivered Grateful Dead-themed music.
Schwagstock concerts featured big-name bands (Marshall Tucker Band, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Black Oak Arkansas) as well as more eclectic groups like Ha Ha Tonka, Big Whisky, Papa Smiley and the Brain Bananas and Infected Mushroom.
The concert venue could handle up to 10,000 people, many who set up impromptu camps and tents around the scenic property and bathed and cooled off in the cool water of Sinking Creek. Some likened the vibe and atmosphere to a mini Woodstock in the heart of the Ozarks.
But reports of rampant drug use during those concerts led to a several-year federal investigation culminating in a 2010 raid at the property.
Court records show Tebeau was later sentenced to 30 months in prison for "maintaining a drug-involved premises." Part of the deal: He was fined and surrendered ownership of Camp Zoe to the federal government. He served 25 months and was released last year.
The land was auctioned in 2013. The successful buyer: Missouri State Parks, which paid $640,000 for Camp Zoe's 330 acres. The state bought an additional 80 acres for $455,000, including the scenic cliffside overlook that will be a focal point of the park.
The land purchase and park improvements will cost $52 million. Shannon County received a $10 million Community Development Block Grant to build the road system in and around the park, bringing the project's total cost to $62 million.
Bryan said the project is being built without any debt, using revenue from the state's park sales tax, and fees from state park camping permits. A portion of the legal settlement the state received when Ameren UE's Taum Sauk mountaintop water reservoir collapsed and severely damaged a nearby state park also helped pay for the new Sinking Creek project.
Although there's a small area available for somewhat primitive camping (there will still be restrooms nearby), the vision for the park is to create a place won't need to rough it during their stay.
The park's centerpiece: A modern lodge with room for 78 overnight visitors who'll take in the view of spectacular Echo Bluff through towering glass windows. The lodge will offer indoor and outdoor dining, meeting rooms and indoor and outdoor space for special events.
Other amenities being built:
- Nine self-contained cabins of various sizes with full amenities and accommodations for up to 108 guests.
- 62 full service camping sites with electrical and water service, 43 of which also have sewer hookups.
- 10 to 20 "walk-in" elevated camping platforms where visitors can park their cars and check out a wheelbarrow to carry their tents and camping gear to their hillside platform among the trees.
- Four acres of primitive camping/group camping with a group fire ring and restroom building;
- A blufftop event shelter for up to 200 people for special events like weddings and reunions.
- A small amphitheater with room for 50 guests, with tiered seating and a dramatic natural backdrop;
- A vehicle and pedestrian bridge spanning 456 feet over Sinking Creek.
The modern facilities are being situated in the oak, hickory and shortleaf pine forest in ways that attempt to keep as much of the original woodlands as possible.
Bryan said Sinking Creek will be a major draw.
"Unlike the Current River just a short distance away which is cold enough to support trout, Sinking Creek is a warm water creek that people have enjoyed swimming in for many years," he said. "There won't be a designated swim area, and there are no lifeguards, so when you step outside you have to take care of yourself. There will be no restrictions on where people can go."
The creek is full of smallmouth bass and goggle eye, and fishing will be a big draw, Bryan said. Sinking Creek also is big enough to canoe, kayak or float by inner tube and park planners envision hiring a concessionaire to offer float trips on Sinking Creek and nearby Current River a half mile away.
When the construction sounds eventually give way to peace and quiet, Bryan said visitors might hear recently reintroduced wild elk bugling from the 64,000-acre Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry, which abuts the new park. Park visitors will have access to hiking trails in the Backcountry area, as well as 20 miles of hiking trail being built within the new park's boundaries.
The famous free-roaming wild horses of Shannon County already have made their way across the Current River to the new park to see what all the fuss is about.
"The wild horse herd likes this property," Bryan said, noting that eight horses were seen on the park's south end recently.
Mountain bikers will have a chance to try a high-intensity "adrenaline" trail near the park's northeast entrance.
"It's a little more extreme than what they're used to in our state park bike trails," Bryan said. "It will be the first trail of its kind for a state park in Missouri."
The original stone-and-wood Camp Zoe lodge from 1929 still sits on the property, and might be turned into a historical interpretive center telling the story of the scenic acreage. Engineers are working to shore up and modernize the aging structure - especially its massive stone fireplace and chimney which currently tilts precipitously.
Bryan said the Schwagstock era will not be overlooked.
"The old lodge was Schwagstock's central headquarters, and our interpreters are working on it," Bryan said. "It's part of the story of this place, and if you look hard enough there's still stuff out there - carvings on rocks - that let you know Grateful Dead followers were out here."
How much will it cost?
Although slated to open next summer, park officials have not yet determined fees and rental rates for the lodge, cabins and camping areas. Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director, said those visitor costs should be finalized by early spring.
The park will employ 10 people full time, and about 40 people will run the various concessions the park offers.
What will the new park be called? Bryan said a number of names are being considered, but nothing yet is finalized.
"I work for the Department of Natural Resources and the governor so we'll certainly give them opportunity for their input," Bryan said.
Although there is no naming contest, Missouri State Parks welcomes suggestions at [email protected].