August 22, 2008

Corps calls camping quits at Spearfish
Drug use and use by homeless cited among reasons for change

By RODGER NICHOLS
of The Chronicle

     The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Thursday it will convert Spearfish Park near Dallesport to a day-use recreation site beginning Sept. 2.
     “It’s been something the Corps has been considering for a long time, and we apologize for the relatively short notice on this,” said Corps spokesman Scott Clemans.
     Spearfish Park was originally designed, built and designated for day use only.
“We’ve historically allowed camping at Spearfish Park, but the nature and design of the park and its facilities is better suited to day-use recreation,” said supervisory park ranger Brett Call. “By excluding camping, we hope to increase the quality of our visitors’ experiences.”
     Campers are overwhelming the parking area, not allowing space for day use visitors, said Clemans.
     “Quite frankly, the campers are making for a less enjoyable day use experience,” Clemans said. “Our informal tolerance of camping has led to some use of the park by homeless people; and there has been some drug activity going on there.”
     He said park officials will be putting up new signs announcing it is a “no camping” area, and rangers will let people know verbally during their courtesy patrols.
     “We really do want people to understand that the whole point of this is to improve everybody’s day use experience there at Spearfish Park,” Clemans said.
The park offers a wide range of activities on Spearfish Lake, including trout fishing, boating and swimming. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks the lake annually with trout.
     The park also features hiking trails around the lake to enjoy the native wildlife and plants in the area. Pet walking is allowed and a popular activity; the Corps reminds visitors to always keep their pets on a leash. Hunting is not allowed.
     The Corps intends to open the park to camping for a two-week period each year in late April during the opening of trout fishing season. The Corps will announce the exact dates for this camping opportunity prior to each season opener.
     “We think that the park really has a lot to offer to folks, and we want more folks to come out during the day and take advantage of everything there is to do there.” said Clemans. “We think by eliminating camping, it will allow people to do that more and better.”
     More information about recreation opportunities near The Dalles Dam is available at the Corps Web site at      http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/d/parksnrec.asp or at the park ranger office at (541) 506-7819.