Lori Marble: Neosho’s Hickory Creek shines like a town jewel

Local News

Discussion

November 20, 2009

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Fri Nov 20, 2009, 10:10 PM CST

NEOSHO, Mo. — Take a walk down one of Neosho’s trails that wind alongside Hickory Creek in the expanded Morse Park, and you’re likely to run into several other walkers, both two- and four-legged.

You will see people riding bikes and families enjoying the picnic pavilions.

Look closer and tucked into the brush-lined curves of the creek, you’ll find devoted anglers, fishing for trout. Described by some as the “best- kept secret in the Midwest,” what once was a flood plain has evolved over the past 16 years into a fishing dream spot and town jewel.

Neosho retiree Ben Moore describes himself as skeptical at first about the flood plain buyout effort and “using large sums of grant money to do what I thought we locals should be doing ourselves.” He now is one of the many regular walkers along the park trails and a frequent visitor with out-of-town trout fishermen.

“We have traveled a lot in the last 10 years and have observed many small towns the size of Neosho struggle for some point of interest for tourists and hype some pretty lame excuses for highlights worth seeing,” Moore said. “We have something worth touting. Park your RV in the lot and walk across the road to a stocked trout stream. Many times we do not appreciate our own backyards.”

“I now keep a fly rod and tackle in the car,” he continued. “I am impressed with the simplicity of trout fishing.”

Listed online as a Federal Emergency Management Agency “best practice,” the Hickory Creek flood plain buyout program was started in earnest following the large-scale flooding of 1993. Using FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant funds, Neosho bought 52 residential properties. A three-eighths-cent sales tax, passed in 1997, was designated for park, recreation and storm-drainage projects.

“Flood plain buyout projects are implemented to eliminate repetitive property damage,” said Craig Jones, Neosho Community Development manager. “Neosho’s history of flooding prompted a community-based plan, which included local financial commitment. It was not the federal government dictating a solution; it was the community’s solution.

“Improvements to the park paved the way for the trout stocking program. To give some idea of the draw, the Hickory Creek Stream Team is composed of anglers that come to Neosho just to chase the trout. Some of these folks are from Kansas City and Springfield, and they made a personal commitment to preserving the resource.”

Moore said the best method of enjoying the area is to park on the south end by the helicopter and walk under the canopy of large trees on the west side. He further suggests walking slowly enough to enjoy and listen to the gurgle of the stream, and notice the many varieties of foliage.

“After a few hikes, you will know the names of several canine friends and visit with some folks who know how to get off the merry-go-round for some simple stress relief and appreciation,” Moore said.

Text Only

Local News

Board places $62 million bond issue on April ballot
In a special session Monday morning, the Joplin Board of Education unanimously approved for the ballot what likely is the largest bond issue proposal in the history of the school district.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
Turnout could be low for ‘straw poll’ primary
Local election officials don’t know what to expect in terms of voter turnout for today’s presidential preference primary, several said Monday.

February 6, 2012
Council denies Highview rezoning
Current residents of Highview Avenue, south of 20th Street, won a battle Monday night when the Joplin City Council denied commercial zoning for residential lots on the east side of the street. The war may not be over, though.

February 6, 2012
Two men plead guilty in sex-offense cases
The Jasper County prosecutor’s office obtained convictions Monday in two sex-offense cases through offers for the defendants to enter pleas on reduced charges.

February 6, 2012
Judge sends identity thief to prison
The husband of a woman who was sent to prison last year for putting an imaginary baby up for sale on Craigslist was assessed a prison term himself Monday for trafficking in stolen identities.

February 6, 2012
Carl Junction panel studying dog tethering, barking issues
The Carl Junction Codes and Nuisance Review Committee will meet today to consider possible ordinances for dog retention after a complaint by a resident at the most recent City Council meeting.

February 6, 2012
PSU president gives faculty preview of legislative report
At a forum Monday afternoon on budget-related and legislative issues, Pittsburg State University President Steve Scott gave about 100 faculty and staff members a preview of today’s testimony before the House Education Budget Committee.

February 6, 2012
No objections voiced to tribe’s CID proposal
A couple of questions but no objections were voiced Monday at a public hearing regarding a proposed community improvement district in northwest Newton County.

February 6, 2012
Mike Pound: Grown men soon to be playing baseball, so all is well
Now that the Super Bowl is over (It is over, isn’t it?), I’ve set my sights on Feb. 18. That is the day, according to what I’ve read, when major league baseball pitchers and catchers are due to start reporting for spring training. When spring training is under way, I don’t care what the weather is like around here.

February 6, 2012
SW Mo. man charged with abusing foster kids
A southwest Missouri man has been charged with sexually abusing two of his foster children.

February 6, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Board places $62 million bond issue on April ballot

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Lori Marble: Neosho’s Hickory Creek shines like a town jewel

Six judges in a county in Kansas are using iPads to sign off on search warrants so law enforcement can more quickly draw blood from suspected drunken drivers. Do you think more counties should use this technology?

Site Map

Contact Us