MARCH/APRIL 2004 $2.75 by Mike Hayden State Park Funding Challenge ushroom Rock, Prairie Dog, Fall River, budget. The department is currently wrestling with Cedar Bluff — the names of our state parks how to make the parks self-sustaining, while meeting Mreflect the diversity of the Kansas landscape the increasing demand and diversity of park visitors. and the flora and fauna it supports. In previous Limited budgets make volunteer groups essential columns I’ve written about the importance of public to the parks. Many state parks have their own lands for all Kansans. All who enjoy the outdoors, “friends” organizations, and other groups such as the many of whom live in urban areas, need open spaces Flint Hills Trail Riders, the Navy Seabees, the Kansas to enjoy hiking, hunting, biking, birdwatching, or Trail Council, and the Boy Scouts, all contribute time, any of the other many outdoor activities. raise money, and supply the labor for many park The state’s park system began in 1958 with the projects. Corporate efforts such as Westar Energy’s establishment of Kanopolis State Park in Ellsworth Green Team have also provide critical support. County. There are currently 24 state parks all across Currently, the department is seeking legislative the state. Visitation has steadily increased during the designation of a 25th state park—Menninger past decade, and in 2002, more than 7 million people Memorial State Park in Topeka. It is hoped that a pri- visited Kansas state parks. As attendance has vate developer, who will be developing a portion of increased, so has the challenge to meet the ever- what was the Menninger Hospital campus, will changing outdoor recreation needs of visitors. donate 80 acres of land to the state. A day-use state State parks are among the most popular attrac- park, with access to the Kansas River, picnic areas, tions in the state. According to 2002 attendance fig- walking and biking trails, and a children’s fishing ures, Hillsdale State Park was second only to pond, would be developed. Additional land may Cabela’s as the most visited place in Kansas. Many eventually be acquired that would link the Kansas other state parks had more than 200,000 visitors, State Historical Society, Menninger Memorial State placing them in the top tier of Kansas tourist destina- Park, and the Governor’s Mansion at Cedar Crest in tions. a system of trails. This project would help meet the Besides being a critical source for outdoor recre- needs identified in the 2003 Statewide ation, state parks are also key in efforts to conserve Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, which and preserve the Kansas land and the plants and ani- noted heavy demand for additional open space, chil- mals that live there. Enhancing wildlife habitat and dren’s fishing areas, river access, and hiking/biking restoring native prairie are included in many parks’ trails near urban areas, particularly in our state’s cap- management plans. Special projects, such as shore- ital city. line stabilization at Cheney, Eagle Days at Milford Probably during next year’s legislative session, the and Kanopolis, maintenance of habitat for threatened department will seek the designation of Prairie Spirit and endangered species, and preservation of an 18th Rail Trail State Park, as well. This trail currently runs century pueblo at Scott State Park, are just examples from Ottawa to Welda, a distance of about 33 miles. of how parks contribute to natural resource and his- The trail is open to biking, hiking, runners, and those toric conservation. who want to enjoy the outdoors. The third, and final Despite their tremendous value to Kansans, state phase of the trail, for which the department will seek parks’ long-term funding is uncertain. For the past approval during next year’s legislative session, will decade, the amount of State General Fund support extend the trail to Iola, for a total of about 50 miles. for parks has decreased from 60 percent of the total For more information about the parks please go to parks budget in 1995 to a proposed level of 15.5 per- the department’s website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, or cent in fiscal year 2005. The department has been contact the department’s office at (620) 672-5911. advised that in the future, all State General Fund With spring just around the corner, please plan to money could be removed from the Parks Division visit our parks and enjoy the Kansas outdoors. March/April 2004 Vol. 61, No. 2 1 On Point State Park Funding Challenge by Mike Hayden 2 Marsh Of The Swans Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area in Linn County is a duck hunter’s paradise with lots of history that has provided out- door recreation for 50 years. by Lee Queal and Karl Karrow 8 Barging In On Walleye GOVERNOR 8 Kathleen Sebelius A floating work station, the walleye culture barge, made its debut at Glen Elder Reservoir last spring. by J. Mark Shoup COMMISSIONERS John Dykes, Chairman, Shawnee Mission 11 Mussel Treasure John Fields, Pittsburg Once valued commercially for their shells, many mussel species Lori Hall, Salina Dr. James Harrington, Liberal are in peril and their value to our environment and the quality Doug Sebelius, Norton of our water has never been higher. by Bryan Simmons Shari L. Wilson, Kansas City Kelly Johnston, Wichita 15 Kansas State Parks Guide A 32-page section featuring all 24 Kansas state parks. ADMINISTRATION Secretary Mike Hayden Turkey Fever Ass't. Secretary/Admin. Richard Koerth 47 Ass't. Secretary/Operations Keith Sexson The youth turkey season provides veteran hunters with ideal Director of Administrative Svcs. Cindy Livingston opportunities to introduce youngsters to the excitement and Director of Fisheries & Wildlife Joe Kramer thrills of spring turkey hunting. by Marc Murrell Director of Parks Jerold (Jerry) Hover Director of Law Enforcement Kevin Jones Wild Currents 49 MAGAZINE STAFF edited by J. Mark Shoup Chief of Information and Education Bob Mathews Backlash 45 Editor Mike Miller Danger Calls by Mike Miller Associate Editor J. Mark Shoup Photographer/Associate Editor Mike Blair Illustrator Dustin Teasley Staff Writer Marc Murrell Circulation Bev Aldrich KANSAS WILDLIFE & PARKS (ISSN 0898-6975) is pub- lished by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, 1020 S Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612. Address editorial correspondence to Kansas Wildlife & Parks Magazine, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124 (620) 672-5911. Send sub- scription requests to Kansas Wildlife & Parks Magazine, P.O. Box 8059, Red Oak, IA 51591. Subscription rate: one year $10; two years $18; and three years $27. Articles in the magazine may be reprinted with permission. Periodical postage paid at 11 Pratt, KS and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Kansas Wildlife & Parks Magazine, P.O. Box 8059, Red Oak, IA 51591. Front Cover: A peaceful summer morning dawns Editorial Creed: To promote the conservation and wise use of our natural resources, over Area G at Marais des to instill an understanding of our responsibilities to the land. Cygnes Wildlife Area. Mike Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs described herein is avail- Blair filmed the scene with a able to all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or 55mm lens, f/11 @ 1/1000 handicap. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to Office of the Secretary, Kansas sec. Back: A proud young Department of Wildlife and Parks, 1020 S Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612. hunter holds his first turkey, taken during a youth hunt Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks Website near Hutchinson. His guide www.kdwp.state.ks.us Marc Murrell took the photo magazine e-mail — [email protected] with a 35-80mm zoom lens, f/8 @ 1/125. Marsh Of The Swans step back in time by Lee Queal wildlife biologist/retired Ducks Unlimited regional director, Pratt and Karl Karrow area manager, Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area, Pleasanton photos by Mike Blair associate editor/photographer, Pratt Along a wild river by the same name, the Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area provides us with a snapshot of why people have been drawn to this land throughout history. arais des Cygnes. French trappers in the settlement nates in southeastern Wabaunsee Locally pronounced of the area. The riverbank com- County and drains some 3,230 M“mare des zene”. Once munity of Trading Post, an apt square miles above Trading Post. pronunciation is mastered, the name in an area steeped in The river was subject to frequent obviously French words roll wildlife history, is one of the and intense flooding prior to set- gently off the tongue. Similarly, oldest settlements in Kansas, tlement. Through the lower sec- other names in eastern Linn dating back to the early 1800s. tion of its eastward flow, the County — Boicourt, La Cygne, The dominant ecological force riverbanks (terraces) are 3 to 6 Coppage Bayou, Paris Township in the area is the Marais des feet higher than the bottomlands — all reflect an early influence of Cygnes River. This river origi- of the adjacent floodplain. These 2 City and New Orleans support. markets. Numerous Adjacent to the wildlife area hunting clubs developed is the 7,500-acre Marais des along the river, mostly for Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge sportsmen from the Kansas (NWR), established in 1992, and City area. Currently, there managed by the U.S. Fish and are over 40 waterfowl Wildlife Service (USFWS). This hunting clubs in the lower NWR is proposed to be 9,300 Marais des Cygne Valley. acres, if fully acquired, and In the early 1950s, the focuses on restoring and pro- Kansas Forestry Fish and tecting bottomland hardwoods Game Commission along the Marais des Cygnes embarked on an effort to River.