Backyard Adventures

10 Pike Publishing BACKYARD ADVENTURES 2015 P R I D E S C R E E K P A R K Prides Creek Park opened on the south- eastern edge of Petersburg in 1972. The 224 acre park is the biggest in Pike County and one of the most sought after properties in the county. The park started with a 90 acre lake, a swimming and beach area, and about 30 campsites. The park and lake are still the same boundaries, but a lot has been added into those 224 acres. There are now 175 independent campsites, three shelter houses, a nine-hole golf course, a world class 18 -hole disc golf course, seven playground areas for children, an amphitheater, a beach volleyball court, a basketball court and tennis court to list just a few of the improvements. "We didn't know where it would go. We envision it growing," said Dave Elgin, who was involved in designing and developing the park originally and still is involved with Prides Creek 43 years later. "The camping demand is much greater," said Elgin. He said he thinks with the opening of I-69 at the south edge of the park, demand and use of the park will only continue to grow. The demand for camping has grown expo- nentially with many people from out of the area, as well as from Pike County, coveting seasonal camping sites to set up their motor homes or campers. They arrive in May and stay until the park closes in October. Becky Osgatharp, secretary for the Prides Creek, said the list of hopefuls to get a camping site was at 221 in April. The 125 seasonal sites are filled and those 221 are waiting for an opening. She said typically it takes four to five years after getting on the list for a prospective camper to make their way to the top of the list. That may get a shot in the arm soon. Elgin said next fall they hope to add 40 more seasonal campsites. Continual electric improvements include providing 30/50 amp service at each sea- sonal site. Elgin said they will be renovating the shower house and beach house this sum- mer. In 1992, the golf course opened on July 1. Since then, it has drawn local golfers, as well as golfers from all over the Midwest. The course was constructed with a grant and private donations, except for $20,000 of tax money. The nine-hole course, with multiple tees, plays from 4,883 to 5,854 yards for 18 holes and has a slope of 114 for men and 112 for women. There are five holes with water in play on the course that is built around Prides Creek. Most of the holes offer a panoramic view of Prides Creek. The par three holes are difficult. Hole 5 is the signature hole, located on a peninsula, and plays from 115 to 130 for the women's tees and from 140 to 195 for the men's tees. The green slopes from right to left and is flanked on the left by a bunker and on the right by a deep grass bunker. It has water on three sides. Pull or push your tee shot and you are probably going to be dropping and taking a penalty. The 310 -yard seventh hole is the risk re- ward hole. It requires a 150 yard carry from the men's tees to a diagonal fairway. Hit it too far right and you risk out of bounds. Get greedy to the right and water awaits. The golf course recently put in Bermuda grass fairways to provide a great lie even in the late summer, when many golf courses burn up. The traditional golf course has now been joined by a world class disc golf course. The 18 -hole disc golf course was designed by disc golf enthusiast Dane Prevo. It is free to play, although there is a charge to get into Prides Creek. Prevo moved to the Petersburg area about five years ago. He said when he went to Prides Creek Park and saw how beautiful it was, he immediately saw the perfect location for a disc golf course. "I thought 'wow, there needs to be a disc golf course here.'" "This piece of property is beautiful. You have elevation change and big growth trees, and you throw in a lake and you really have something," said Prevo. "It will definitely will be one of the best in the area. From my knowledge and what I have seen, it will be one of the best. People will drive from Louisville and St. Louis to play on this course," said Prevo while con- structing the course. He was right, people have come from all over the country to play the course, which has a guest registry. Prides Creek Park Manager Brandon Schultheis said he hears from people travel- ing from other states to play the disc golf course regularly. He said often there are groups coming from Louisville to play. Several improvements continue to improve the quality of life in the park and it has be- come its own community. An amphitheater hosts concerts and musi- cal performances. Schultheis said there are several family movie nights planned for this summer. The park's summer residents also host a Halloween celebration that includes a wiener roast, pumpkin decorat- ing, trick or treating and a decorated golf cart parade. Prides Creek has something for the WHOLE FAMILy STORY BY ANDY HEURING PHOTOS BY ANDY HEURING AND ERIC GOGEL

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