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No camping, for now

Webster County Conservation postpones opening campgrounds

It wasn’t a bad April Fools’ joke.

The Webster County Conservation Board and staff announced yesterday that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the campgrounds at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park and Gypsum City OHV Park won’t be opening on April 15.

For now, the opening is delayed until May 1.

“The safety and health of our park visitors is our top priority,” said Matt Cosgrove, Webster County Conservation director.

The delayed opening includes all of the cabins, tiny houses and the new yurts as well as the camping sites.

The economic impact of being closed won’t be known until the two weeks are up. Cosgrove said the first two open weeks vary considerably in campground revenue from year to year.

“The first two weeks really vary each year,” he said.

Weather is a big factor, he said. The worse the weather, the fewer the campers.

“The economic impact is not as big as the emotional impact,” he said. “It’s a handful of people that want to camp then. We usually have about a third of it filled.”

He said that during the past three years, the revenue from the first two weeks has ranged from about $5,000 to $10,000.

He said many of those who visit during the first two weeks are doing a trial run for the season by camping somewhere close to home. The number of campers rise considerably as the season goes on and the weather gets nicer.

If the restrictions continue, it could hurt “If we go much beyond the first two weeks,” he said.

For those who had already made shelter or lodge reservations in April, they have the option to reschedule or receive a refund. For now, May rentals are scheduled to occur as planed. If restrictions continue into May, he said, the re-schedule or refund option be available for them as well.

All Webster County Conservation events and programs scheduled in April are also either postponed or cancelled.

While camping isn’t an option, all of the areas under Webster County Conservation remain open for public use including the OHV Park.

“The riding is not shutting down,” Cosgrove said. “You’ll be able to ride as soon as the trails dry up.”

Restrooms and other facilities will be locked though.

Cosgrove is also recommending that park visitors not use the playscape area at Kennedy or other playground equipment.

He said he’s still seeing people using it. At this point, he said, they’re not planning on roping it off.

On the upside, he’s seeing a lot of visitors using the trails and parks. Safely.

“The parks and trails are a lot busier,” he said. “It’s double if not more. For the most part it’s family units. We strongly encourage people to get outside for the benefit of their physical, mental and emotional health, however, we ask visitors to follow the CDC recommendations for social distancing.”

He’s also taken steps to protect the staff. Some are working remotely, some are working at more remote sites and their work shifts have been staggered to avoid too much contact. The visitors center at Kennedy is closed to walk-in traffic as well.

Cosgrove said that if restrictions continue or are modified, the board will re-evaluate the situation at the end of April.

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