Hooper park sees record year; plans improvements

A new shade structure will provide visitors to the Lincoln skatepark with respite from the sun or the rain.

The shade, completed last weekend by DC Construction of Helena, was paid for by an $8000 grant from the American Academy of Dermatology and is the lates, but not the last, improvement to Hooper Park, which saw a record-setting summer season.

"We did real good on revenue," said Lincoln Park Board President Nyle Howsmon. "We almost increased $10,000 over last year, which was an all-time high."

Last year, as travel to the state increased amid the widespread COVID-19 lockdowns that affected much of the country, Hooper Park pulled in $20,000 from camping fees. This year, as things got back to something resembling normal for a while, camping at the park once again saw a notable uptick, bringing in an estimated $29,800 in revenue by the time fee season for camping ended after Labor Day.

Howsmon said they now want to put some money back into improvements to the park.

"We put in an application for a 400 amp meter to redo the electricity on the west side," he said. Camping sites on the west side of the park don't have full hook ups, which would be cost-prohibitive for the park - but some sites do provide electricity.

Following the camping season, work also began on the west entrance to the park, near the skatepark. The area south of the original entrance road was leveled and graveled to provide a parking area for the skatepark. A new west entrance for campers will be delineated by large boulders along on the southern edge of the parking area, once the county verifies the right of way.

"We're working with the American Legion on the front, trying to get a new kiosk up there, a new pay station," Howsmon said. "We're working on a new one for the west side as well."

Improvements to the non-potable water system is another project in the works,

"We've still got to get water to the east side," Howsmon said. A $1000 donation to the park from Lincoln Putt-Putt, funded 600 feet of pipe for the project, as well as other supplies. A recent hook up installed on the water system will allow them to run the line, once they can coordinate getting the trench for it dug. Since the water will be considered non-potable, a primary goal is to provide water campers can use to extinguish their campfires, which has become a safety concern given the fire danger in recent years.

Next year Hooper Park will also have two bear-proof food containers on hand for tent campers and cyclists. Howsmon said they received the first one this month and should get another one next spring. The need for bear-proof food storage was highlighted in July after a grizzly bear killed a cyclist in Ovando.

Looking at other potential upgrades for the park, Howsmon said they would also like upgrade to new, concrete picnic tables at some point.

"It's coming along, slowly but surely," he said.

Howsmon said the board also welcomed new member Dan Gallagher. He said Gallagher works with the Bureau of Reclamation on all the campgrounds at Canyon Ferry. "He can help us all a lot," Howsmon said.