After not being able to open nearly all year, Warfield Point Park officially reopened Saturday.
Warfield Point Park director Donald Davis made the announcement at Monday morning’s Washington County Board of Supervisors meeting.
The park had been closed for several months dating back to August due to the extensive flooding from the Mississippi River then it closed quickly again after vandals broke in and damaged the park’s electrical system.
After the flooding, Davis said the cleanup process was an arduous one. One of the biggest tasks Davis and his crew were faced with after the flood was removing fallen trees.
As the cleanup process finished, Davis said much to the park’s and patrons’ misfortune, vandals got on to the property of the park and caused an estimated $30,000 worth of damage to the electrical system.
That incident created an even bigger, more time consuming, and likely more expensive task for Davis and Washington County.
“They looked to be stealing copper,” Davis said, noting the thieves destroyed power boxes and cut electrical wires
It was reported the damage occurred near the bathrooms and at the time, would take two or more weeks to repair.
The end of the year is fast approaching and several people would be pleased to know the park has reopened, but it is still expected to undergo some much-needed repairs.
A timetable for electrical and plumbing repairs needed for the park restrooms has not been set.
“Right now, Mr. Hooker (County engineer) has gotten specs together to do the bathrooms,” Davis said, noting those bathrooms include the visitors and the staff bathrooms.
Davis also spoke with board members about approval of advertising for the specs soon.
