With Warr Acres new park, camping becomes a local option
First phase of Warr Acres development will open in September

TIM HENLEY Comments 1
Published: August 18, 2009

WARR ACRES — Joanna Sanford and her family usually drive to Arbuckle Mountains in the southern part of the state when they want to go camping or enjoy the outdoors at Turner Falls Park.

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For more information or to purchase a membership, call 721-5536.

Next month, the family of four can walk a few blocks from their home to a new 40-acre park that will offer some of the same amenities.

The Park is at 6103 NW 58. There won’t be a 77-foot waterfall, but Sanford said its amenities will be sufficient for her family.

The first phase will open Sept. 12. It will have a camping area, tents, basketball courts, athletic fields, building rentals, picnic pavilions, a recreation trail and a creek.

The next phases will include bed-and-breakfast cabins, a dog park, camp sites, a camp store, outdoor paintball, outdoor laser tag and an amphitheater where actors and musicians can perform.

The Park has trees spread throughout to provide shade in the summer and small hills for sled riders to use during winter.

"We wanted to create something that doesn’t exist near this town,” said Pat Martindale, managing member of Ione Creek LLC. "We wanted a place where people can come enjoy the outdoors and not have to drive an hour and half outside of the city.”

The real estate company purchased the land in 2005 after the Ione Branch YWCA closed the previous year. The former YWCA building on the north side of the property will be used to hold meetings, parties and other events.

The public can access the park’s amenities with the purchase of a membership. Enrollment will cost $15 to $20 for an individual and $25 to $30 for a family.

Sanford said her family will buy a membership, and use The Park for outdoor activities instead of trekking across the state to camp.

"It’s a neat idea, and it’s very convenient,” Sanford said. "We’re outdoor type of people. Now, we don’t have to go far to camp out.”