Group offers solutions for off-road venue's problems

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A group of stakeholders is discussing ways to make future events at Brick's Off Road Park safer and less problematic.

Part of the mission of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce is attracting tourists to the Poplar Bluff area, according to a synopsis provided by the chamber at a meeting last week regarding the park.

"Brick's Off Road Park provides events that bring our area national recognition and a lot of outside revenue for our local economy," chamber president Steve Halter is quoted as saying to more than 15 people in attendance.

Halter said he called the meeting, which excluded the media, to "pull all stakeholders together to discuss ways we can make the future events at Brick's safer and more successful."

Attending were Brick's owners Jay Brickell and his son, Scott, as well as members of the Butler County Sheriff's Department, county commission, fire department and emergency management agency, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Conservation and Department of Transportation, Air Evac Lifeteam and Butler County EMS.

The meeting came less than a month after an estimated crowd of up to 15,000 attended the Trucks Gone Wild event June 4 to 7 at Brick's.

During the event, patrol troopers worked two serious accidents, one of which left a woman dead; cited underage drinkers, including one who registered a .20 blood-alcohol content; and heard complaints from residents near the park who were unable to get to their homes because of traffic.

The sheriff's department also was inundated with 911 calls for injuries and medical conditions, such as heat exhaustion.

Along with the traffic, neighbors reported problems with illegal parking, property damage, littering and foul language.

Nearby land owners also complained about damage to their properties from all-terrain vehicles leaving Brick's, as well as damage to the Little Black River and Beaver Dam Creek.

Department of Natural Resources officials investigated and found suspected water-pollution violations during the June event. Recommendations were made to prevent pollution from recurring during the park's September event.

During the meeting, the synopsis says Jay Brickell indicated there were "six focal points" he and his son "would like to address" to make the "park better for the community and to those who participate in their events."

The Brickells reportedly want to make County Road 484 one way, starting at its intersection with County Road 461. This, the men say, would keep traffic flowing smoothly and allow emergency vehicles to respond quicker.

According to earlier reports, two- to three-hour waits occurred at times to get into the park during the event. Troopers also reported they "couldn't get close" to the park this year, as compared to previous years.

The synopsis stated the Brickells want to post two law enforcement vehicles during the event (one at CR 484 and south side of Route F and one at the park's entrance), widen parts of

CR 484, open the county road on the south side of the property for use by emergency vehicles/emergency exit and improve the Beaver Dam Creek crossing.

A long-term goal, the men say, is paving CR 484.

The synopsis states the Brickells are working on building a four-lane road around the perimeter of the park, which Jay

Brickell said he hopes will be completed by September.

Security reportedly was a concern. Access for emergency medical personnel also was discussed.

Because it may be hard to get vehicles in and out of the park, Air Evac representative Mike Shane indicated if there was a designated landing zone, a helicopter could respond within eight minutes for serious injuries.

Jay Brickell, according to the synopsis, indicated he was working on a landing zone "for that reason."