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Hello, Missouri State Park eFriends.

Welcome to the November issue of Missouri State Park eFriends. I would
like to relay to you the latest news from around the Missouri state park
system. First things first…see below. We want your input!

======Visioning Online — WE WANT YOUR HELP!!!======
The Missouri state park system is looking ahead to the next 10 years to
see what challenges and trends must be met and how to meet them. Its proud
history began in 1917 but to remain a viable state park system, it must
look ahead. To meet these challenges, the division began what it calls the
” visioning” process. The process began with meetings and workshops with
park staff and constituents. The ideas were collected under six main
topics: staff training and expansion; funding; new or expanded facilities;
programs and event expansion; diversity initiatives; and marketing and
promotions. This information is now available on the Web. Your input on
these ideas is important to us. Please go online at
http://www.mostateparks.com/visioning.htm and give us your comments on the
ideas. The Web site will remain active through Jan. 31, 2008.

We also invite your comments on eFriends and the state park system in
general. Your input is important to us and is used as a tool to provide
better services to all of our customers.

Thanks for keeping us on your mailing list and for participating in our
activities.

Douglas Eiken, Director
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Division of State Parks

======Find the Director and WIN A PRIZE!!!======
Congratulations to Melanie Smith, of Little Rock, Ark., who correctly
guessed the Katy Depot in Sedalia as October’s location of the Find the
Director. She has won a gift certificate that can be used for two free
nights of camping in any Missouri state park or historic site campground.
To view last month’s mystery state park or historic site and read comments
from the director, go to http://www.mostateparks.com/findthedir1007.htm

Each month, a photograph of a state park or historic site taken by Doug
Eiken, the division director, will be featured along with clues to its
identity. If you know or can guess the identity of the site, submit your
answer by Nov. 23 to qualify for a prize. For more details, go to
http://www.mostateparks.com/findthedirector.htm

======Featured Site======
Long Branch State Park, Macon
Nestled in the rolling farmland of northern Missouri is Long Branch Lake.
Three separate areas around the lake have been designated as Long Branch
State Park, providing public access to the lake and remaining natural
features of the area. Visitors can fish, camp and picnic along the lake
for some of Missouri’s finest views.

For more information on Long Branch State Park, visit
http://www.mostateparks.com/longbranch.htm

======Special Events======
Hanging of the Greens
Arrow Rock State Historic Site, Arrow Rock
Join residents on Nov. 24 as they decorate the village of Arrow Rock for
Christmas. Caroling and awaiting Santa’s arrival will happen on the
boardwalk, while other events are being planned at the site’s visitor
center. Activities include decorating an old fashioned Christmas tree,
making “natural ornaments” to take home and more.

For more information and a complete listing of special events in your
area, visit http://www.mostateparks.com/events/events.htm

======Sport Shows======
Visit our Missouri state park booth at one of the following sport shows:

Kansas City Sport Show, Bartle Hall, Jan. 9-13
St. Louis RV Show, America’s Center and Edward Jones Dome, Jan.10-13
Columbia Sport Show, Hearnes Center, Jan. 25-27
St. Louis Boat Show, America’s Center and Edward Jones Dome, Feb. 6-10

For more information, contact us at moparks@dnr.mo.gov

======2008 Katy Trail Bike Ride======
In June every year, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources sponsors
a five-day, four-night bicycle tour of the nation’s longest developed
rail-trail, Katy Trail State Park. More than 300 bicyclists from 27 states
participated in the 2007 ride.

For more information about the 2008 Katy Trail Bike Ride, visit
http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/2008ride.htm

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Missouri State Park eFriends Newsletter
Change your e-mail address or unsubscribe: moparks@dnr.mo.gov
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Missouri’s state parks and historic sites are funded primarily by the
one-tenth-of-one-percent parks-and-soils sales tax. The tax was first
approved by Missouri voters in 1984 and renewed by voters in 1988, 1996
and 2006.

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moparks@dnr.mo.gov
http://www.mostateparks.com/efriends.htm