Shimek Lick Creek Unit
Improvements and Activities
2022
Shimek Forest Campground Improvements and Activities in 2022 by the DNR Crew. Reported by DNR Technician Patrick Thomas:
As we all look forward to getting out on the trails this year, I would like to reflect back on the happenings that took place in the campgrounds in 2022.
I first want to recognize the contributions of the summer staff this year, David "Dave" Forsythe and William "Bill" Mathias. Without them, these projects and day to day maintenance wouldn't have happened.
*Seven sites in the Lick Creek Lower Campground have been rearranged to better accommodate larger trailers, ease of backing in, relocating hitching rails for safety, making better use of fire ring areas, and possibly better use of the campground space. (I hope to continue this process) The pole hitching rails were replaced with treated 6X6 posts. Photos are included here that show some of these changes for sites 31, 33 and 36. We were able to relocate site 31 to make it a longer pad and have a better site overall. Now, sites 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, and 38 will all accommodate larger horse trailers!
*Several hazard trees were removed, cleaned up and stumps have been removed throughout all four campgrounds. (Thanks to Bill for his mapping skills I would have never found all those stumps this winter)
*Thanks to the Friends of Shimek for the grants, donation and time for the additions to the stalls. We expanded the Lick Creek Upper Campground Horse Stall building with one set of stalls, and one of the Lower Campground Horse Stall buildings had two sets of stalls added.
*A workday was held, the Lick Creek campgrounds were tidied up, with replacement hitching rails going in fire rings being cleaned, the stall additions worked on with both DNR staff and FOS volunteers helping.
*A few site posts were replaced.
*Several picnic tables were either completely replaced with new treated lumber or had a few boards replaced. These new boards had to also be stained.
*A guided first day hike was offered at Black Oak Lake, however with a winter snow event no one showed. ( Jan. 2022)
Campground guest numbers were down slightly from last year with that being expected across the state as things have re-opened after COVID restrictions have been mostly lifted.
We had in all four campgrounds 1,664 individuals to camp 1,469 nights.
We estimate 21,750 people visit Shimek Forest. (This number is estimated based on how many people I see using the forest. These numbers are high during spring/fall riding, mushroom hunting and hunting seasons.) I would like to note that I have been noticing more people hiking this last year.
I want to thank the Friends of Shimek Board and Volunteers for all you do!! I greatly appreciate it! A special thank you to those that pick-up litter trail side when riding or hiking. It was a great year and I look forward to the happenings this year.
Note added by FOS: WOW! Much improved parking sites for trailers in the Lower Campground. I'm sure many equestrian campers will appreciate those! Thank you to Patrick, Bill, Dave, Ben, Eric, Heath and Forester John Byrd for all they have done this year to maintain and improve the facilities at Shimek.
As we start rolling through 2023 watch our Facebook and Blog page for more improvements and activities during this year.
Thank you to Patrick for a breakdown of last year's accomplishments and photos, to Lora for posting the information on Facebook, and all that took time to help along the way. Many hands makes light work.
Kathy
President/Editor
Photos courtesy DNR Technician Patrick Thomas
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