From the President
Several months ago, I was made aware of an opportunity to help bring the “Kansas Rocks” Recreation Park to Bourbon County. The conversation started with “Gary, they were going to build in Linn County but the county didn’t want them.” As you might as expect, after hearing that I was a bit skeptical about what I was about to learn. It’s a good thing I kept an open mind to the opportunity. We have come a long way since that conversation.
Kansas Rocks has been the dream of this group for three years. A couple of years ago they purchased land to build the park in Linn County. However, after learning about the park plans, Linn County leadership would not give them permission to open a recreational park. Perhaps they had the same misconception that other people might have; you know— red-necks, alcohol, partying, loud and fast vehicles, and all that sort of stuff. However, with an open mind to opportunity, I agreed to talk to Mr. David Killion over the phone. That was about 6 months ago. The conversation left me with such a good feeling about this man, the organization, and their goals that I agreed to work further with them. We have since spoken several times and kept in contact as they searched for property in Bourbon County and started the development of the park. About three weeks ago, I met with David in person for the first time when he was scheduled to speak to the Rotary Club.
This past Saturday, 6 months after our initial conversation, I attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the park. Each time I am around these folks, I am more impressed. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a park official at the entrance gate who politely welcomed me. As I entered the park, I drove past a line-up of Sport Utility Vehicles, everything from Jeeps to Excursions, most of which were pulling trailers loaded with their “toys”. It became obvious to me that this certainly wasn’t what Linn County had envisioned and more importantly, it was everything that David had assured me it was. This is a gentleman’s sport, one that takes lots of money to be involved in. Oops, did I say gentlemen? Let me correct that. I also saw a lot of women drivers and a lot of children playing at the enormous playground built in the park. I quickly learned this is a family sport!
I continued my drive into the park where the recreational vehicles were poised for their weekend of fun. There were so many vehicles parked in the area that I couldn’t count them all. There had to be 150 recreational vehicles lined up in a line, all pointed towards the business end of the park. I was told later that if the weather had cooperated, there would have been 4 times that many on hand.
I walked up to the ceremony area and was pleased to see many faces that I recognized. I was greeted by the members of the organization and learned that there were folks there from cities all over the state. There were even people from Oklahoma and Missouri. I also learned they come from all walks of life. There were bankers, lawyers, CEO’s, plumbers, electricians, housewives, home builders and business owners.
The ceremony wasn’t much different from most I have attended. Someone gets up, introduces others, talks about the topic at hand, and then thanks a lot of people, most of which I have heard a thousand times. But this one was different. There were tears of joy, hugs, kisses and handshakes. I was witnessing a celebration of success.
After many prizes were given away, David Killion hopped in his vehicle and slowly drove through the yellow ribbon signifying the official opening of the park. Afterwards, they all eased into the mile-long line of recreational vehicles and made their way into the park. As they drove by me, disappearing into the wooded area, they all had smiles on their face as they waved to friends with kids strapped in the back laughing and high-fiving. On this day, at this time, not a one of them was remembering the struggle and the many disappointments of the journey.
I walked back to my truck and started back home. As I looked back over my shoulder, almost five minutes later, they were still streaming into the park. After three years of adversity, struggle, and celebration, the Kansas Rocks Recreation Park is a reality.
– written by Gary Emry, President and published in Bugle Bits ‘A weekly e-publication of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce’ on 9/2/2003From the President
Several months ago, I was made aware of an opportunity to help bring the “Kansas Rocks” Recreation Park to Bourbon County. The conversation started with “Gary, they were going to build in Linn County but the county didn’t want them.” As you might as expect, after hearing that I was a bit skeptical about what I was about to learn. It’s a good thing I kept an open mind to the opportunity. We have come a long way since that conversation.
Kansas Rocks has been the dream of this group for three years. A couple of years ago they purchased land to build the park in Linn County. However, after learning about the park plans, Linn County leadership would not give them permission to open a recreational park. Perhaps they had the same misconception that other people might have; you know— red-necks, alcohol, partying, loud and fast vehicles, and all that sort of stuff. However, with an open mind to opportunity, I agreed to talk to Mr. David Killion over the phone. That was about 6 months ago. The conversation left me with such a good feeling about this man, the organization, and their goals that I agreed to work further with them. We have since spoken several times and kept in contact as they searched for property in Bourbon County and started the development of the park. About three weeks ago, I met with David in person for the first time when he was scheduled to speak to the Rotary Club.
This past Saturday, 6 months after our initial conversation, I attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the park. Each time I am around these folks, I am more impressed. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a park official at the entrance gate who politely welcomed me. As I entered the park, I drove past a line-up of Sport Utility Vehicles, everything from Jeeps to Excursions, most of which were pulling trailers loaded with their “toys”. It became obvious to me that this certainly wasn’t what Linn County had envisioned and more importantly, it was everything that David had assured me it was. This is a gentleman’s sport, one that takes lots of money to be involved in. Oops, did I say gentlemen? Let me correct that. I also saw a lot of women drivers and a lot of children playing at the enormous playground built in the park. I quickly learned this is a family sport!
I continued my drive into the park where the recreational vehicles were poised for their weekend of fun. There were so many vehicles parked in the area that I couldn’t count them all. There had to be 150 recreational vehicles lined up in a line, all pointed towards the business end of the park. I was told later that if the weather had cooperated, there would have been 4 times that many on hand.
I walked up to the ceremony area and was pleased to see many faces that I recognized. I was greeted by the members of the organization and learned that there were folks there from cities all over the state. There were even people from Oklahoma and Missouri. I also learned they come from all walks of life. There were bankers, lawyers, CEO’s, plumbers, electricians, housewives, home builders and business owners.
The ceremony wasn’t much different from most I have attended. Someone gets up, introduces others, talks about the topic at hand, and then thanks a lot of people, most of which I have heard a thousand times. But this one was different. There were tears of joy, hugs, kisses and handshakes. I was witnessing a celebration of success.
After many prizes were given away, David Killion hopped in his vehicle and slowly drove through the yellow ribbon signifying the official opening of the park. Afterwards, they all eased into the mile-long line of recreational vehicles and made their way into the park. As they drove by me, disappearing into the wooded area, they all had smiles on their face as they waved to friends with kids strapped in the back laughing and high-fiving. On this day, at this time, not a one of them was remembering the struggle and the many disappointments of the journey.
I walked back to my truck and started back home. As I looked back over my shoulder, almost five minutes later, they were still streaming into the park. After three years of adversity, struggle, and celebration, the Kansas Rocks Recreation Park is a reality.
– written by Gary Emry, President and published in Bugle Bits ‘A weekly e-publication of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce’ on 9/2/2003