Triple trouble at Twin Trees Park

Those who don't already know about the existence of Twin Trees Park might not even know it's there.

A sign once announced the presence of the park on East Cape Rock Drive. Now it's gone.

Most of the time the park is empty, and trash and old tires litter the area in spots. In times of rain or high water, large pools form near the park's boundary with Juden Creek, especially in the large ruts left over from drivers practicing their off-road skills -- a prohibited act in Cape Girardeau's city parks.

Ruts made by off-road vehicles define the landscape at Twin Trees Park.

On the other side of East Cape Rock Drive is the Juden Creek Natural History Area, run by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The natural area is still used and well-managed -- not so for Twin Trees.

"We mow it, and that's about all we do," said Dan Muser, director of Cape Girardeau's Parks and Recreation Department.

A lack of use by city residents and the problem of flooding leaves Twin Trees Park low on the priorities of the city, said Muser. There are simply more pressing problems in parks that see more use, he said.

But the park has a long history. It was originally established by the Cape Special Road District back in 1936. It was deeded to the city in 1973.

City planner Kent Bratton said the park originated as part of a system of roadside parks established by Dennis Scivily in the 1920s.

Whether the park was ever used much is hard to tell. Much easier to see is that now the park is hardly used at all, except for late-night makeout sessions, small drinking parties and off-roading.

Cape Girardeau Police Department spokesman Sgt. Barry Hovis said the police know the park's reputation for illegal activities, and they patrol the area regularly.

Hovis no longer patrols, but in his 20 years at the police department he's done his fair share of street work, including patrols of the area around Twin Trees.

"There were never huge parties there, just two or three people drinking beer, or you might see people making out," said Hovis. "There have been some sexual assaults out there."

However, given the park's isolated nature on the edge of the city limits, catching people in the act of prohibited activities can be hard.

Flooding from nearby Juden Creek makes the park a magnet for people who want to go "mudding."

"Our biggest problem there has been four-wheel drive trucks that use it as a mudhole and mess it up," said Muser. "Maintenance there is really just trying to deal with that. That's enough of a pain in the neck."

Joe Garvey, a forestry specialist with the Missouri Department of Conservation in Cape Girardeau, said he's seen civic groups try to plant trees in the park, only to have those trees destroyed by off-roading.

"There's littering right there -- land abuse," said Garvey. "People go in an area and tear the heck out of it, and that's what has happened."

Civic groups get discouraged when they see their hard work ruined by a few inconsiderate individuals, Garvey said.

Flooding combined with the off-roading is really what makes the park mostly unmanageable at this time, said Muser, as does the city budget.

"Would it be impossible to do something there? No," said Muser. "Do we have the money to do something there? No."

Muser said the city wouldn't be opposed to a group of private individuals stepping in to clean up the park and help reduce flooding, but so far no one has done so.

And the flat, wetland geography may make it hard for anyone to improve the grounds anyway, he said.

They could always plant trees, but before those trees have the years they need to grow, they too might be destroyed.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182