A popular Forest Service recreation site on the Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District of Mark Twain National Forest (Missouri) will have improvements done to its campsite amenities through funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA).
The Lane Spring electrical and water fountain replacement project will replace outdated waterline components, upgrade the existing electrical system to handle more load, and will add electric hookups to additional campsites, according to a report.
The recreation area will close for the season early, on Sep. 26, so the contractor can begin work. The improvements are expected to be complete before next spring. Lane Spring should open again on its usual season start date of March 1.
Lane Spring Recreation Area is located south of Rolla, just a 15-minute drive after exiting I-44. Phelps County residents like to visit the site for the day to sit by the beautiful spring, walk to the river, or enjoy a gathering with family and friends at the pavilion.
People from outside the area find it a convenient place to escape and enjoy camping with a feel of seclusion near a river, while still being a close drive to a town. Next year, all of these visitors will enjoy the updated amenities.
Water fountains and spigots will be made fully operational. Electricity will be added to four additional campsites, and the old electric hookups will be removed and replaced with modern equipment.
Electricity makes it easier for RVs to extend their stay, and it also adds accessibility options for all campers. Someone needing to utilize and recharge an electric wheelchair, or someone wanting to tent camp and use a CPAP machine, for example, will find the recreation site much more user-friendly.
Tray Hall, the Forest Service recreation officer for that area, stated, “I am excited that GAOA is helping us deliver excellent and equitable recreation opportunities to the public we serve.” Hall added, “I am looking forward to seeing people utilize the improvements when they show up to fish and camp in the spring!”
The Great American Outdoors Act gave the USDA Forest Service new opportunities to benefit the American public through major investments in recreation infrastructure, public lands access, and land and water conservation.
Visit the Forest’s website at www.fs.usda.gov/mtnf to discover the many recreation opportunities on Mark Twain National Forest. For inquiries about the project, email Tray Hall at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Salem News Online.