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12-17-2006, 03:37 AM
PORTALES – One of New Mexico’s best-kept secrets is no stranger to New Mexico State Parks, which is why Oasis State Park (Portales, NM) was recently named the “Exemplary Park” of 2006, by the New Mexico State Parks Division.<img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/oasis_yucca.jpg border=2 vspace=2 hspace=2 align= left><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/oasis_pond.jpg border=2 vspace=2 hspace=2 align= right>
“It’s definitely an honor to have received this award - it surely shows what team work can accomplish,” said Jim Whary, Park Manager at Oasis.
Of several annual awards that State Parks issues, the “Exemplary Park” award is granted to one of the Division’s 34 parks, whose staff has “contributed significantly to the betterment of the State Parks Division by performing duties in a superior manner.”
“Were proud of the staff at Oasis and, with the prospects of Cannon Air Force Base looking up, we see a bright future for this valuable community asset,” said Dave Simon, State Parks Director.
The State Parks awards committee chose Oasis because of the staff’s outstanding performance in keeping the park well maintained while making it a family-friendly destination in eastern New Mexico, despite only a three-person team.
On top of normal duties, Oasis has continued to sponsor educational programs including the annual “Kids Fishing Clinic”, the annual “Mulligan Stew,” and numerous weekend programs, which have proven to increase visibility and subsequent visitation.
Park staff efforts have paid off in the form of consistent visitation and revenue increases over the past five years. Oasis has shown a 50 percent revenue increase in FY06 compared to FY05, and a 49 percent increase in visitation from FY06 than in FY05.<img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/oasis_camping.jpg border=2 vspace=2 hspace=2 align= right>
The 16th annual “Kids Fishing Clinic” was held at Oasis on Saturday, November 18. Clinic stations were designed to teach kids about everything from casting techniques to ethics and conservation. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Portales provided lunch for the event.<img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/oasis_ducks.jpg border=2 vspace=2 hspace=2 align= left>
The annual clinic is available for kids and youth from 6 to 17 years old. Children age 12 and older were required to have a New Mexico fishing license to participate.
Participants were asked to bring canned food items to help support the Life Saver Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico. The event was co-sponsored by the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Portales, the Department of Game and Fish and Friends of Oasis State Park.
Located south of Clovis, Oasis has 23 developed campsites and contains a three-acre pond, popular among fishermen. The family friendly park has a playground and several short hiking trails surrounded by cottonwood trees and shifting sand dunes.
The Park is also located near the Blackwater Draw site – a National Historic Landmark that is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, documenting the earliest Paleoindian cultures in North America.
For more information about Oasis State Park, call (505) 356-5331 or log onto www.nmparks.com (http://www.nmparks.com/).
“It’s definitely an honor to have received this award - it surely shows what team work can accomplish,” said Jim Whary, Park Manager at Oasis.
Of several annual awards that State Parks issues, the “Exemplary Park” award is granted to one of the Division’s 34 parks, whose staff has “contributed significantly to the betterment of the State Parks Division by performing duties in a superior manner.”
“Were proud of the staff at Oasis and, with the prospects of Cannon Air Force Base looking up, we see a bright future for this valuable community asset,” said Dave Simon, State Parks Director.
The State Parks awards committee chose Oasis because of the staff’s outstanding performance in keeping the park well maintained while making it a family-friendly destination in eastern New Mexico, despite only a three-person team.
On top of normal duties, Oasis has continued to sponsor educational programs including the annual “Kids Fishing Clinic”, the annual “Mulligan Stew,” and numerous weekend programs, which have proven to increase visibility and subsequent visitation.
Park staff efforts have paid off in the form of consistent visitation and revenue increases over the past five years. Oasis has shown a 50 percent revenue increase in FY06 compared to FY05, and a 49 percent increase in visitation from FY06 than in FY05.<img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/oasis_camping.jpg border=2 vspace=2 hspace=2 align= right>
The 16th annual “Kids Fishing Clinic” was held at Oasis on Saturday, November 18. Clinic stations were designed to teach kids about everything from casting techniques to ethics and conservation. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Portales provided lunch for the event.<img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/oasis_ducks.jpg border=2 vspace=2 hspace=2 align= left>
The annual clinic is available for kids and youth from 6 to 17 years old. Children age 12 and older were required to have a New Mexico fishing license to participate.
Participants were asked to bring canned food items to help support the Life Saver Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico. The event was co-sponsored by the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Portales, the Department of Game and Fish and Friends of Oasis State Park.
Located south of Clovis, Oasis has 23 developed campsites and contains a three-acre pond, popular among fishermen. The family friendly park has a playground and several short hiking trails surrounded by cottonwood trees and shifting sand dunes.
The Park is also located near the Blackwater Draw site – a National Historic Landmark that is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, documenting the earliest Paleoindian cultures in North America.
For more information about Oasis State Park, call (505) 356-5331 or log onto www.nmparks.com (http://www.nmparks.com/).