Summer Season Officially Begins
On Sat, May 24 and Sun. 25, the park is hosting NSS-CDS International Cave diving convention and they are expecting over 300 cave divers from around the world. Because of this large event, the park will not be open for swimmers on these days. On Sunday, May 25th, the public is welcome to attend the 9:00 a.m. free talk and exhibition on cave diving at the Blue Springs Recreational Area. An admission fee of $2.00 per person will be required.
On Monday, May 26, 2008, Memorial Day, the park will open to the public at 10:00 a.m. for swimming and recreation. After Memorial day, the park will open for the summer season. Hours of operation for the park will be: 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday.
The rules for the park are as follows: All radios must be turned off upon entering the park. Portable radios must be used with headphones. No alcohol allowed. No weapons. No profanity. No pets, except service animals. Proper swimwear must be worn. Including, but not limited to: no swimming in blue jeans, no thongs (guys or girls), no underwear can be visible. These rules will be enforced and patrons may be removed from the park for violation of any of these rules.
According to Chuck Hatcher, Director of Parks and Recycling, "We want to go back to the family atmosphere we had when we were growing up. Last year we set a park attendance record of nearly 27,000 visitors, and with gas prices high and going higher we expect to have another record season. The park has a concession stand for any food or beverage needs. You can rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboats. For the swimmers we have tube rentals available. For the younger kids we have a multi –station playground. For the older kids and adults we have an official beach volleyball court. We have just about anything you could want at a swimming facility. We are so fortunate to have a great facility like this! Why go to the beach when Blue Springs is so close, so clean, and so much fun? We also have pavilions for rent, but you need to call soon, because they are going fast."
Admission to the park remains $2.00 per person. New for this year are $20.00 per person season passes for Jackson County residents. Non-Jackson County residents may purchase a $30.00 per person season pass. Just a reminder, there is a new power boat No Wake Ordinance passed May 22, 2007 by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. This no wake zone is from the buoy line located just south of twin caves to the fence at the swimming facility. "This was passed to allow Fish and Wildlife to help monitor the water in the Blue Springs Recreational Area" Hatcher said. "It provides more safety for our canoes, paddleboats and swimmers. Everyone should check the requirements for boating and snorkeling before entering this area."
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