Picnic tables are essential in the success of Missouri State Parks. There are hundreds located throughout the state, and when it is time to replace or repair them, it can be very costly.
Three state parks recently benefited from services of the Missouri Agency of Surplus Property (MOSASP), that saved them almost 78 percent, in cost, on 100 picnic table frames.
After locating hundreds of picnic tables, MOSASP Warehouse Manager Victor Connell, knew that someone could greatly benefit from them, especially since they were located at nearby Harry S. Truman Lake.
The Army Corp of Engineers, who manages Truman Lake, no longer needed the tables, because many of them had to be reconditioned.
Victor called several individuals, until he acquired the contact for Lake of Ozarks State Park Specialist Josie Barlow, who said she knew some local state parks that would gladly take the picnic tables (frames). Even with the cost of new lumber, she knew the savings would be great verses the cost of brand new picnic tables.
“We requested 100 picnic table sets. They were transferred to us for $4 per frame set…at a total of $400,” Josie stated.
The parks department picked up the frames from the Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake.
“We spent $45 on lumber and $20 in hardware for a total cost of $69 per table, including the $4 for the table frame. For us to purchase one new picnic table it would be $320, and for an ADA table, it is $400 (equal to the transfer cost of the 100 frames from MOSASP). To purchase 100 non-ADA, the cost would have been $32,000,” she added.
The final cost in restoring all 100 frames was $6,900, which in turn saved the Missouri taxpayers $25,100. Tables were assembled using volunteer labor, which further saved money. Josie said the difference would help fund other important projects.
Lake of the Ozarks State Park kept 60 sets, Pomme de Terre State Park took 20 sets, and Roaring River State Park also took 20 sets.
“This service is providing our visitors with a better experience in our parks,” Josie stated.