Section A · Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, September 10, 1998
Great Outdoors
Students should enjoy outdoors while they can
By Chad Bettes
Kansan staff writer
With summer waning, recreation seekers are expected to take Clinton Lake and State Park by storm in the next week.
Dave Rhoades, park manager for the U.S. Corps of Engineers, said that the park and lake provided plenty of activities and space to accommodate many people's interests.
There are six parks surrounding Clinton Lake: Clinton State, Outlet,
Rockhaven, Bloomington, Woodridge and Overlook. Rhodades said that while each park provided different amenities, together they provided campgrounds, swimming beaches, a golf course, picnic shelters, sports fields and trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
The State Park and Bloomington Park each have approximately 400 campsites available on a first-come,first-serve basis. Rhoades said reservations for camping would be taken in the future,but the system is not yet in
place.
Miles of paved and unpaved trails are available at several parks. Rhoades recommended Woodridge Park for those who enjoy hiking, backpacking or camping in a primitive setting. He said there is a trail around the perimeter of the park, but the remainder is left natural.
Many people also are expected to participate in water activities. Rhoades said a large number of boaters, water skiers, jet skiers and wind surfers will be on the lake. He urged students to
"We ask that everyone follow state regulations when boating and encourage them to wear life jackets," Rhoades said.
play safely.
Clinton Lake State Park does charge fees for use of various areas and activities. Rhoades said camping prices ranged from $4 to $12 per night and that the boat ramp fee was $2. The park also charges a $4 per vehicle entrance fee.
Picnic shelters vary in price from $20 to $30, depending on whether they are rented for half- or full-days. The shelters require reservations.
Hunting and fishing are allowed at Clinton Lake, but Rhoades said people must buy the appropriate permits or licenses from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to use the 9,000 acres of hunting ground. Seasonal hunting restrictions apply.
The U.S. Corps of Engineers gives assistance to lake patrons seven days a week at its visitors center. Rhoades urged people with questions or those in need of a map to go to the center during business hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Many agencies share management of Clinton Lake, park recreation
City, federal, state groups share duties
Clinton Lake and State Park are popular Lawrence attractions, accommodating nearly one million visitors annually. But just who runs it, owns it and funds it?
The answer can be confusing, said Dave Rhoades, park manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps, Douglas County, the city of Lawrence and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks all have a hand in lake and park operations. The federal government ownr
The federal government owns
the land, and the lake was built with federal money. Rhoades said. Because of this, the Corps originally was responsible for the entire park.
Since then, local government entities have leased portions of the park land from the Corps for special purposes. The city of Lawrence, for instance, leases Outlet Park for a golf course and sports complex, Rhoades said.
Another lease was granted when the Douglas County Preservation Alliance wanted to perform a preservation project on the Barber School, a 127-year-old building.
DCPA, said private funds were raised for the project, and the building received a 1997 award of excellence from the Kansas Preservation Alliance.
Bev Worster, president of
Tax dollars normally are used to operate the park area, said Roades. Fees collected at the park help to defray expenses.
Clinton Lake was built over several years and was filled beginning in 1977. The lake is in the Wakarua Valley. It is eight miles long and has 7,000 surface acres.
In addition to its recreational purposes, the lake provides about half of Lawrence's water supply. Rhodes said.
— Chad Bettes
Mountain bike trails near Kansas River offer something for every cycling level
By Chris Fickett
Kansan staff writer
Cyclists of all levels can enjoy the mountain bike trails along the north edge of the Kansas River.
One option is to take a ride along the river levee to Perry Lake or Eudora. Cyclists also can divert to some of the National Off-road Bike Association's approved mountain bike trails near North Eighth and Oak streets.
Justin Hawkins, Overland Park sophomore, said that there were different trails for different riding abilities.
"It's pretty accessible to all levels," he said.
Hawkins said that he did not do a
lot of mountain biking but that he still enjoyed the trails.
"They're a blast," he said. "It's great to go out there with some friends and just cruise around."
Stacey Lamer, Kansas City, Kan. senior, said that she enjoyed riding on the trail near the river.
"It's a really nice trail, and it's pretty well maintained," she said.
Kaye Long, co-owner of Cycle Works, said that volunteers helped build and maintain the trails.
Long said that there were trail maintenance days once a month, usually Satursdays.
"There's the faithful few that go out there," she said.
Lamer said that she had attended the trail maintenance days twice.
She said that she cut away any branches that were hanging too low over the trail.
In addition to cutting branches, volunteers also operate tillers and mowers. Lamer said.
Long said that interested volunteers should check for filers posted monthly in most of the bike shops around Lawrence. She also said that the filers offered some tips for volunteers.
"Bring some gloves and a strong back." she said.
"If you want to enjoy what Lawrence has to offer, you have to put in a little work," she said.
Long said that riders who used the trails also should help maintain them.
Local outdoor-equipment stores aim to arm weekend warriors
By Brad Hallier Kansan staff writer
Camping, water skiing and hiking are a few of the ways many people enjoy their weekends.
Lawrence has several stores and warehouses that offer all kinds of outdoor equipment and aim to satisfy every outdoor need.
Backwoods Equipment Company Inc., 916 Massachusetts St., has a wide variety of climbing gear and knives.
Scott Rader, Lawrence junior, is a salesperson at Backwoods. He said that because the store dealt with the KU Climbing Club and area Boy Scouts, it had a large variety of backpacks and shoes.
"Clothing is our biggest seller, and with school recently starting, we've sold a lot of backpacks," he said. "We also have a variety of camping equipment, and we have all the accessories. We even have books on cooking and climbing. We also do a lot of specialty orders, so if you need it, we can get it."
Sunflower Outdoor & Bike, 802-804 Massachusetts St. sells a little bit of everything, said Chad Kemper, a manager.
"We specialize in almost everything, nothing specific," he said. "We have a broad customer base, from 12-year-old boys buying combat boots, to 75-year-old women buying swimsuits."
The store has a wide range of bicycles and a bicycle repair shop. Kemper said Sunflower would fix any bike, even if it wasn't purchased from the store.
Kemper also has noticed a late-summer push of people buying a lot of merchandise. He said the store had sold plenty of bikes, clothing, sunglasses and sandals.
For water lovers, there are a few places around town to find the necessary equipment.
"When the students get back in town, they like to get out and show and spend money," he said.
Linda Kelley, a salesperson at Arnie's Boat Sales and Service, 2036 E. 1400 Road, said that although the store did not rent boats, it sold a variety of new and used ones. The store's bass boats, which have special carpeting, are designed specifically for fishing. Kelley said Arnie's would check and repair any boat, regardless of where it was purchased.
"We repair boats and motors," she said. "This is a busy time for us because of the season. A vast majority of people think it's the last time to get out."
The store has plenty of accessories for any boat.
Susan McCarty, Lawrence resident and an employee of Jock's Nitch Sporting Goods, 837 Massachusetts St., displays some of the stores fall wares. The store sells shoes, clothing and other types of sports memorabilia. Photo by Matt Daughery/KANSAN
"We have a large showroom, and it contains everything from ski rope, water toys for kids, oils for boats, fiber glass, boat wax, trailer lights and gas tanks," Kelley said.
Fall 1998 Study Abroad Fair 4th Floor Kansas Union Tues, Sept. 15th 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
785. 864.3742 - osa@ukans.edu - www.ukans.edu/~osa
"I would have never thought this experience could have been so amazing and life changing. The White House is truly a magical place...It has all come together in a big picture of what life it is like at the seat of power in the most powerful house in the world."
White House Intern (no, her name isn't Monical) Spring, 1998
Washington D.C. and Topeka Internship Informational Meeting
MONDAY SEPT.14 109 BLAKE 7 p.m.
For more Internship information, visit the Dole Institute web site at http://www.ukans.edu/~dole98, or contact Burdett Loomis, 864-8033/b-loomis@ukans.edu
Beginning and Intermediate Knitting Classes Starting Soon!
$25.00 for 8 weeks.
Beginning Knitting: Learn by making a sweater or vest!
Start with a small project then move
to a sweater or vest.
20% off class yarns.
20% on class yarns.
Sept 23 (Wed.) 7-9 p.m.
Sept. 23 (Wed.) 7-9 p.m.
Oct. 1 (Thurs) 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Oct.1 (Thurs.) 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Complete schedule of all classes available at Yarn Barn. Classes in knitting, weaving, spinning, tatting, & rug braiding.
842-4333
930 Mass. St. YARN BARN
Direct from a critically acclaimed year off- Broadway!
"Wasting Time with Harry Davidowitz"
The Musical Journey of a Jewish Soul
featuring Dani Maseng
Sunday, September 13th, 1998
1:00 p.m.
Kansas Union
Alderson Auditorium
Tickets Available At Door Only:
$3.00 Students
$5.00 Others
This program is made possible by the KU Hillel Foundation and the Lawrence Jewish Community Center
1