Published: April 04, 2008 10:06 am         

Park projects are blossoming

Gloss Mountain Conservancy works to develop programs, improvements at nationally renowned park system

In nearly a dozen years of existence, Gloss Mountain Conservancy has been instrumental in helping develop many programs to benefit the state park.

Two of the more recent projects epitomize the organization’s focus.

As part of his Eagle Scout project, Fairview Boy Scout Derrick Hamand organized a lighting project for a flag pole at the park. The flag will be illuminated 24 hours a day.

Another Fairview Boy Scout, Jason Wallace, worked on his Eagle Scout badge by installing benches and picnic tables along the trails.

“We need good, young, strong people like that,’’ said Mark Stubsten, the president of the conservancy.

Stubsten is one of four members of the conservancy. Bruce Elwell is the vice-president, Steve Bell is a board member and John McCue is secretary-treasurer.

Oklahoma Department of Tourism owns the park and it is managed by the conservancy.

The organization is able to coordinate projects like those of Hamand and Wallace through donations of labor and equipment, as well as federal grants and cash donations.

The state park is located in western Major County, about six miles north of Fairview.

The 640-acre park offers any number of outdoor adventures, including hiking, climbing, rock collecting, bird watching and trail walking.

The conservancy is in the process of purchasing railroad ties for a trail stabilization project and installing pipe to run wiring for the flag pole lighting project.

“Now that spring is here, we’ll be able to proceed as the ground conditions permit,’’ said Stubsten.

Stubsten said as many as 30 students from the local technical center have been active in helping with projects at the park, whether it’s building trails, hauling railroad ties or general maintenance.

“The work at the park is a continual, on-going process,’’ said Stubsten. “Having a good number of volunteers helps.’’

Stubsten said volunteers and donors get a sense of ownership of the park.

“They want to preserve it,’’ he said. “We’re dealing with fragile land.’’

Hikers at the park can take a walkway to the top of Cathedral Mountain and traverse to Lone Peak on a 1.2 mile round trip walk.

The park is handicap accessible and features restrooms and picnic shelters.

The low-lying range of buttes reach about 175 feet high, including Lone Peak, the highest point in the park.

For information about the conservancy, call (580) 227-2512.