State Park automates permit sales

As visitors return to Lovewell State Park for the 2023 season they will notice several changes. The first maybe the automated permit kiosk near the park office. The new equipment allows for the after hours credit and debit payments of daily and annual vehicles permits and one night campsite fees that are confirmed to be vacant and not reserved. Receipts issued at the kiosk are to be displayed like a regular permit. The annual vehicle permit receipt is to be presented to the park office during normal business hours and exchanged for the permanent decal.

As part of this year’s Big Kansas Road Trip event May 4 through 7 in Jewell, Republic and Smith counties, there will be free park entrance on Saturday, May 6. A free fishing weekend is planned for June 3 and 4.

The state park crew will be continuing the watergrass war in 2023. The grass is an aggressive, rapidly spreading grass that can quickly overtake fields and disturbed areas, easily out-competing native species of grass. Because of its ability to thrive in hot and dry conditions it was introduced in to the United States for highway project erosion control. In June through August the grass really takes off and puts up shoots overnight while other native grasses are dormant.

Once established it is extremely difficult to control.

Work to eliminate the grass began last year and will continue each fall.

Starting in the fall, cattle will be allowed to graze portions of the Lovewell wildlife areas. It is thought the grazing will improve the bird habitat.