Cabins at Glen Elder State Park

 

Glen Elder State Park opened two new reservation cabins April 24th, 2008. The project is a cooperative effort involving The Kansas Wildscape Foundation, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Gardner National Bank, Kansas Department of Corrections, The Country Stampede, and Glen Elder State Park. The project is part of a statewide economic development initiative involving many state parks and numerous wildlife areas and state fishing lakes. For cabin reservations, availability, and information contact the Glen Elder State Park Office at 785-545-3345, E-mail gleneldersp@wp.state.ks.us   or visit our web site.  

 

Park provided cabins are becoming a viable recreation alternative for many people at an increasing number of  Kansas State Parks. Most are already reserved for the majority of the camping season at various locations. For some, the idea of “roughing it” in a tent or camper is not an appealing prospect. Cabin amenities include: a kitchenette, refrigerator, shower, microwave and stove/oven, heating and air conditioning, rustic décor, access ramps and parking, and weather alert/alarm radio, and hard surfaced  parking and patio area with a picnic table and camp stove. Each cabin sleeps six and has a Murphy bed, futon, couch, and full size bed. Bedding and toiletries are not supplied.

The fees are $100.00 deposit, $75 per night, and a $10.50 reservation fee. A weekly rate of $450.00 is available (excluding holiday weekends). You are responsible for any missing items , damages, trash removal, and cleaning during your stay.

 

You must be 18 years of age to reserve a cabin. Fee prepayment is required for reservations at least five days in advance. Inclimate weather, natural disasters and other situations are not the responsibility of the park or KDWP. Sub-leasing is not allowed.

 

Smoking and pets are not allowed inside the cabins. A trash dumpster is located nearby.  
 

State Park Funding remains a growing concern for the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks. Governor Kathleen Sebelius has proposed free admission for all Kansas residents, eliminating the motor vehicle entrance permit requirement for all Kansasn’s. Funding sources: state general funds, dedicated EDIF/gaming revenues, and numerous other options are under review and an option, or several options, may come to fruition. Infra- structure repair funding is continuing this year with replacement of the Kaw sewer lift and dump station which is nearly unserviceable and no longer meets environmental regulation requirements. Future capital improvement projects include establishing playground equipment at several locations and providing trail improvements that encourage self fitness and exercise opportunity. The Bureau of Reclamation in cooperation with KDWP as a managing partner is spearheading a access review based on ADA current standards. Although funding this project is a concern, the improvements to existing facilities should be noticeable once the review is complete and specific projects are identified and prioritized.

 

Please Help Us welcome Ron Sutton who began employment on December 31st filling the vacant maintenance position at the park. Ron has been involved in the park and Waconda Lake for a number of years. He shares experience from Fisheries, Public Lands, Wildlife, and Park disciplines. Ron and his family reside near Hunter. Ron is anxious to help improve the park. Welcome aboard Ron.

 

Camp Hosts are again requested for the 2008 season. After four years Bennie and Judy Norton will not be returning this season. We thank them for their help during their tour here. We will be looking to fill the open camp host positions with some truly exceptional camp hosts. 

 

Waconda Lake level is currently (February 25th) 6.2 feet below conservation pool with diminishing ice cover. Keep up the rain dances… we’ve increased lake elevation 3 feet from a year ago but there are those remaining 6 feet needed to bring us up to conservation pool. Water is and will be a priceless natural resource for our quality of life. Management and conservation of our precious water resources is vital to water born recreation and economic development. Wildlife and Parks continues to emphasize and protect our water resources. Protecting our water and conserving the water we have are two ways we can ensure we will have adequate water resources in the future.

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Kansas Walleye Association Glen Elder Walleye tournament is set for Sunday May 4th. Check out the Kansas Walleye Association web site for details and entry forms.

 

Walleye Length Limit Change Proposed For 2009 -- Glen Elder Reservoir has historically been known as one of the best walleye angling reservoirs in the state of Kansas with high popularity among anglers from the late 1970’s until the early 1990’s. Over the last 10-15 years, walleye numbers and walleye anglers have both been declining at Glen Elder. Catch of age-1 and older fish reached an all time low in 2004 and the period 2004-2007 recorded four of the five lowest totals in the reservoir’s history. Additionally, a creel survey conducted in 2007 indicated the number of anglers fishing Glen Elder reached an all time low, and percentage of anglers targeting walleye declined to 22%.

 

In addition, Glen Elder was known as one of the most consistent egg production reservoirs and was relied on many years to supply 20 to 50 million eggs toward the statewide goal. Walleye egg collection efforts have not occurred at Glen Elder since 2003 due to the declining quality of the walleye fishery. Egg collection for the statewide walleye production should be an important consideration for management of the Glen Elder walleye population.

 

Attempts to improve walleye numbers have been made in recent years by stocking the maximum number of fry allowed (12 million), and by stocking a combination of both fry and fingerlings. While average catch of age-0 walleye has improved in the last 4 years (7.2) versus the prior 5 years (2.0), the results are not yielding increased numbers of adults during fall sampling, likely due to high angling mortality.  Also, all stocked walleye in 2007 were chemically marked to determine the percentage of stocked fish to the population.  Results indicated the 67% of young fish were naturally produced, 33% were from fry stockings, and none were from fingerling stockings.  It appears that natural reproduction can far outweigh stocking contributions in most years.

 

If the proposed 18 inch minimum length limit is accepted, we will closely evaluate the effects it has on walleye population dynamics including recruitment, density, mortality, and growth over a 5-year period. At the end of this period a determination will be made as to whether any additional regulation changes are necessary to achieve management objectives.

 

Free Park Entrance Days are set for June 7th & 8th with OK Kids (Outdoor Kansas Kids Day) and fishing fun emphasized. 

 

4th of July FIREWORKS -- The Beloit Eagles are again sponsoring the 2008 Independence Day Fireworks at Waconda Lake. The actual date is to be announced, but Saturday the 5th is the date to plan for. To donate to the 2008 display contact Farmway Credit Union in Beloit at 785-738-2224 or mail donations to:
 

Attention: Eagles Lodge Fireworks Account
Farmway Credit Union

200 South Hersey Ave.

Beloit, Kansas 67420

 

Music Fest will be a major program again this year (2008). Look for Music Fest to happen on July 12th with a rain date of July 19th this year. Back by popular demand, a tentative agreement to headline the event by Tommy Andrew’s Band from Kansas City will be a fun program for entertainers and audience alike. For information and to participate in the program contact Bill Anderson at (785)-282-0510. Slots for the program are limited so get a hold of Bill.

 

New developments for 2008 at Glen Elder State Park include:

• Native grass and forbs establishment in high visibility areas

• Reclaiming shoreline and transplant trees

• Rip Rap protection for high erosion areas near boat ramps

• Staining the Park Office and Vault Toilets

• Continue Visitor Center Rejuvenation

• Long Term campsites and areas

• Complete Cabin Sites 1 & 2.

• Major road maintenance is postponed until 2009  

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