After several decades of fewer-than-usual additions to the state park system as a result of budget constraints and with the Missouri State Parks Centennial coming in 2017, the Nixon administration and park officials pressed for purchase of new parks using funds available to the state from several legal settlements for damage to natural resources. The result, four new state parks—Eleven Point, Bryant Creek, Ozark Mountain, and Jay Nixon—announced just before Gov. Nixon left office, was greeted with general approval by most citizens but with irritation and resistance by some legislators and local officials.
Read an account of the new park lands acquired by the Nixon administration in the December 2016 Heritage.
See MPA's views on the new parks in the context of Missouri park development historically.
Learn about the lawsuit regarding Eleven Point State Park on page 5 of the March 2020 Heritage.
View MPA's resolution opposing the sale of Eleven Point State Park.