Parks officials dedicate lake cabins

Mike Hayden, Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks and former governor, on the front porch of the cabin at center, participates in dedication ceremonies Tuesday at Lake Perry for two cabins built by the non-profit group Kansas Wildscape.

Park officials say they want Kansans to spend more time outdoors and two cabins dedicated at Perry Lake State Park on Tuesday will help make that happen.

“Some people want to get away and spend time outside, but they may not have a camper or they don’t want to use a tent,” Debbie Brandt of the Kansas Wildscape Foundation, said. “This is their chance.”

The foundation is part of a public-private partnership that is building cabins at Kansas lakes and renting them relatively cheaply to members of the public.

The two cabins at Perry Lake opened July 4. Park manager Larry Cadoret said they have been so popular they are booked through October. Reservations are only being accepted for 2005. People can reserve the cabins in 2006 after Jan. 1.

“It’s been pretty exciting,” Cadoret said. “We’d like to have more of them if we get a chance.”

The cabins, valued at about $30,000 each, are the result of a partnership between the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, Kansas Wildscape Foundation, the Country Stampede music festival in Manhattan and Gardner National Bank.

Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks Mike Hayden said the partnership has allowed for eight cabins to be built in state parks. Four are at Tuttle Creek reservoir near Manhattan and two are under construction at Cross Timber Toronto Lake near Toronto.

Mike Hayden, Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks and former Governor, left, chats with Mike Vineyard, Kansas Wildscape board member, while visiting one of two new cabins Tuesday at the Perry Lake State Park. Hayden participated in dedication ceremonies for the cabins built as a result of a partnership between the the non-profit group Kansas Wildscape Foundation and the KDWP. The partnership program is working to provide outdoor recreation possibilities at several Kansas lakes.

“We’re trying to get more people outdoors,” Hayden said Tuesday at a formal ribbon cutting ceremony for the two cabins at Perry Lake. “This project has helped with our efforts and it’s very popular.”

“There’s not a motel or hotel room in Jefferson County,” said Jim McGrath, economic development director for the county. “We do have some bed and breakfast houses. But we’re all for anything that increases lodging capabilities in the county.”

The cabins are furnished, have central heat and air conditioning and come equipped with full kitchens and bathrooms. One of the cabins at Perry Lake also is handicap accessible.

Cadoret said there also are pots, pans and dishes in the cabins. Renters just need to bring towels and bedding.

The cabins rent for $55 a night Sundays through Thursdays and $65 a night for Fridays, Saturdays and holiday weekends.

Revenues generated from the eight cabins will fund future cabin developments at other state parks, officials said.