Arrowsmith Park Improvements

Dear Anonymous,

WOW!

First, the Arrowsmith Park campground has nothing to do with the Sandtrap request earlier this year. As you mentioned, their request was denied. In fact camping has been allowed in Arrowsmith Park since the late 1960s (40+ years) and the current plans to improve the camp area have been on the drawing board for four years. Many improvements have been made to the camp area over the last forty years.

Second, camping is only allowed one week, per month, per camper. Long-term camping is not allowed.

Third, I checked with GCPD Chief Cushman and found that we have not had any citations or warnings issued to campers due to ordinance violations at Arrowsmith Park in at least the last several + years.

Fourth, the improved camping area will benefit many of our local businesses and is not designed to benefit any one particular business.

Many communities have campgrounds and encourage there use by locals and travelers alike. It's good for our quality of life and it's good for our local economy.

Hope this clears up any confusion.

Mayor Dan


Is this to ACCOMMODATE Sandtrap's plan for a camp and to funnel customers into that business? I thought that was defeated due to the concerns of the neighborhood AND NOW YOU ARE BUILDING A CAMPGROUND!!! Aren't there still the same concerns? I guess in the end, we are going to get stuck with a tent city down there aren't we?

Anonymous


Dear Friends,

I’m very excited about the current improvements at Arrowsmith (South) Park. Earlier this year we were given a $75,000.00 grant by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to be used for economic development. We decided to use the money to improve Arrowsmith Park further enhancing the additions and improvements that have been made to the park in the past, such as the public bathroom facility with showers.

We specifically targeted the existing camp area for these improvements. Up until now campers have been parking on the grass. The addition of asphalt camping sites will make it much more pleasurable for our family members and friends that come to visit. It will also make it more inviting to travelers passing through our community. In the future, minor improvements on the drawing board include the addition of picnic tables and fire pits.

It’s a well-established fact that campers spend money where they stay. My family and I have taken many camping vacations and can attest to this. There’s a reason Wal-Mart encourages free over-night camping in their parking lots; they know that money will be spent at their stores. Campers will stock-up at our local grocery store, buy supplies at our local hardware stores, purchase gas at our local gas stations and spend money at our restaurants. This is good for our local businesses and the jobs they provide. It’s also good for sales tax revenues.

This is the only public campground in Ford County that I’m aware of. We want people to know about this fantastic facility and feel welcome to visit our community. Therefore, we plan to advertise it in campground guidebooks and on highway signs outside of town. Our improved campground will give them another reason to stop instead of passing right through. They will support our local economy and they just might discover what we already know, Gibson City is a great place!

This project is another example of maintaining and improving our infrastructure and how it benefits our community.

As always, I am at your service. Please call me at 784-5872 or email me at mayor@gibsoncityilinois.com with any questions, suggestions or comments.

It is a pleasure to serve you.

Daniel Dickey
Mayor – Gibson City, Illinois