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Cutting the Ribbon!
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The Big Niangua River Trail (BNRT) was dedicated August 8, 2015 at Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. The project was jointly sponsored and represented at the Dedication Ceremony by Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance (LOWA), the Lake of the Ozarks Chapter of the Missouri Master Naturalist Program with advisors from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Ameren Missouri; in partnership with Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
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Indigenous Osage People named this river the Niangua which translates to "Big Winding Stream of Many Springs." Ha Ha Tonka means "laughing spirits" or "laughing waters" and was named in the early 1900's by a man who built a
castle overlooking the spring cove which now marks the beginning of the new BNRT. In 1978, the year my husband and I moved here from Iowa, the land was purchased by the state and became
Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
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| Canoe Races |
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| Today the spring cove below the castle cliffs at Ha Ha Tonka is a great location for water craft activities. Kayak Meet-UPs, hosted by LOWA with Missouri Master Naturalists Volunteers from the Lake of the Ozarks Chapter, are put on the 2nd Saturday each summer month welcoming the public to try out many kinds of kayaks and paddle boards for free to promote non-motorized water craft for good water quality. |
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| Me on a paddle board. |
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| Here I am kayaking by the cliff below the castle. |
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| Barbara and Kathy are affiliated with both LOWA and the Lake of the Ozarks Chapter of Missouri Master Naturalists as volunteers and big promoters. The new sign marks the beginning of the BNRT at the kayak ramp located at the Spring Area of Ha Ha Tonka State Park. This is also the location of all the Kayak MeetUPs. |
The Lake of the Ozarks Chapter of the Missouri Master Naturalists volunteered to do the brochure, signage, and information board. We have assured their future maintenance too. I was a volunteer for the signage committee. There were 20 metal signs that are located now on the 20 points of interests along the BNRT. We are promoting a BNRT Club in the future and will organize trash clean-ups.
You can find out more about the
Ozarks Chapter of the Missouri Master Naturalists on their website which also includes a link for the brochure and map of the BNRT.
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| Representatives from LOWA set-up at the kayak ramp to sign-in participants for the monthly Kayak MeetUP and there are plenty of Master Naturalists available to help provide information and instruction. Kayaks, paddle boards, and life jackets are provided for free. |
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| On this dedication day, representatives from Missouri State Parks were there to provide kayak instructions in more detail and answers questions for the public. |
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| Instructional and Safety Class |
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Geoganne, who is involved with all the represented groups present, gave a wonderful speech.
I hope you will plan a trip soon to enjoy what we have to offer! Check back on my blog for future articles and information relating to the BNRT. If you want to see the Maiden Voyage of the BNRT on an earlier blog use the search tool provided on the right side of the page topside. |
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