Brick's Off Road Park: Group offers fix for events

POPLAR BLUFF - A group of "stakeholders" are discussing ways to make future events held at Brick's Off Road Park safer and less problematic.

Part of the mission of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Com- merce is tourism for the "greater Poplar Bluff area," according to a synopsis provided by the chamber of a meeting held earlier this week regarding the park.

"Brick's Off Road Park provides events that bring our area national recognition and a lot of outside revenue for our local economy," chamber President Steve Halter is quoted as telling the more than 15 in attendance.

Halter said he called the meeting, which excluded the media, to "pull all stakeholders together to discuss ways we can make the future events at Brick's safer and more successful."

Attending were Brick's owners, Jay Brickell and his son, Scott, as well as members of the Butler County sheriff's depart- ment, county commission, fire department and emergency management agen- cy; Missouri State Highway Patrol, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Conservation and Department of Transportation; Air Evac Lifeteam and Butler County EMS.

The meeting was held less than a month after an estimated crowd of be- tween 14,000 and 15,000 attended the Trucks Gone Wild event June 4-7 at Brick's.

During the event, patrol troopers worked two serious accidents, one of which left a woman dead; cited underage drinkers, including one who registered a .20 blood-alcohol content; and heard complaints from residents living near the park who were unable to get to their homes due to traffic congestion.

The sheriff's department also was inundated with 911 calls requesting emergency medical services personnel respond for injuries and medical conditions, such as heat exhaustion.

Along with the traffic congestion, neighbors reported problems with illegal parking, property damage, littering and foul language.

Adjoining land owners also complained about dam- age to their properties from all-terrain vehicles leaving the Brick's property, as well as damage caused to the Little Black River and Beaver Dam Creek.

DNR officials investigated and found suspected violations had occurred during the June event. Recommendations were made to prevent water pollution from occur- ring during the park's September event.

During the meeting, the synopsis says Jay Brickell indicated there were "six focal points" he and his son "would like to address" to make the "park better for the community and to those who participate in their events."

The Brickells reportedly want to make County Road 484 one way, starting at its intersection with CR 461.

This, the men say, would keep traffic flowing smoothly and allow emergency vehicles to respond quickly.

According to earlier re- ports, there was a two- to three-hour wait, at times, to into get the park during the event. Troopers also reported they "couldn't get close" to the park this year, as com- pared to previous years when they "could get in and out."

The synopsis says the Brickells want to post two law enforcement vehicles during the event (one at CR 484 and south side of High- way F and one at the park's entrance), widen parts of CR 484, open the county road on the south side of the property for use by emergency vehicles/emergency exit and improve the Beaver Dam Creek crossing.

A long-term goal, the men say, is paving CR 484.

The synopsis further says the Brickells are working on constructing a four-lane road around the perimeter of the park, which Jay Brickell hopes will be completed by September.

Security reportedly also was a concern.

Jay Brickell reported in the past, the only security "they ever needed was people who worked at the park. The last event, they had hired an outside security firm and will continue adding more in the future."

Halter, the synopsis says, asked whether it is possible for the Brickells to hire "off- duty" deputies to patrol the events.

Butler County Chief Deputy Brian Evans reported the department has regulations, which prevent deputies from working on private property due to "safety regulations."

Scott Brickell reportedly requested the county road on the south side of the property be opened back up to allow emergency vehicles better access in and out of the park.

Scott Brickell, as well as EMA Director Robbie Myers and Presiding County Commissioner Vince Lampe, reportedly will investigate what is needed to make that happen.

The synopsis indicates the road will not be open all year, just during major events to provide a "safer experience" for those participating in the events.

Brick's is only open twice in 2015 for its June and September events.

Access for EMS also was discussed.

Since it may be hard to get vehicles in and out of the park, Air Evac representative Mike Shane indicated if there was a designated landing zone, a helicopter could respond within eight minutes for serious injuries.

Jay Brickell, according to the synopsis, indicated he was working on a landing zone "for that reason."

Shane and Jay Brickell reportedly are to meet at the park to determine the "most desirable" location for a land- ing site.

David Ross, with Butler County EMS, and Scott Brickell indicated they would work to improve communication and map specific checkpoints for EMS to meet Brick's staff to "navigate the inside of the park more efficiently and respond quicker to emergency situations."

Officials with the sheriff's department and patrol, the synopsis says, agreed to work with the Brickells prior to each event to "en- sure" they "are aware of the signage needed and specific dates/times for staffing," specifically at the intersection of county roads 461 and 484 from Highway F.

The patrol representatives reportedly "expressed their interest" in being involved and wanted contact information, so they would know how they could help at the time of the events.

Lt. Jeff Vitale earlier said after last year's event, patrol officials spoke with Jay Brickell about this subject

Phone numbers were exchanged, but "he made no contact with any of us" this year, Vitale said.

Lampe and the county's road supervisor reportedly also will meet with the Brickells on what part of CR 484 needs to be widened and which trees need to be re- moved so traffic can flow more efficiently.

The trees, Halter said Wednesday, are located on county right-of-way.

There's a really bad curve, Halter said, which prevents trucks and trailers from making the turn.

The Brickells, he said, indicated they would pay to take the trees out themselves, but haven't because of where they are located.

"It seemed logical if it will improve things," Halter said. "It's no cost to the county to allow them to take them out. ... The Brickells think it will improve the situation."

Who would pay for the costs associated with widen- ing the road was not discussed as "the county didn't say if they were going to spend the money on it," Halter said. "They said they would go out and look at it. It's a deci- sion the county commission would have to make."

MoDOT officials indicated if parking along CR 484 was an issue, they "just need- ed to simply add 'no parking' signs.

When asked about enforcement of the "no park- ing," Halter said, this was just a suggestion from MoDOT.

According to Halter, the sheriff's department "will help out during the event. They just had to have communication up front. Brian Evans seemed very cooperative to help, as did the Missouri Highway Patrol."

Discussion also surrounded how CR 484 needs to be widened since trucks can't make that turn to go south on Highway F.

"Scott said that they can, but they do have to turn into oncoming traffic," the synopsis said.

In order to determine the cost and what would be needed, Lampe indicated an easement would be required.

The parties agreed to meet and "look at it."

It was suggested by Halter that the Brickells get estimates on paving CR 484, so the commissioners "can move forward with long-term planning."

Halter reiterated Wednesday that paving was long term as there is "nothing in the budget right now," but estimates should be obtained.

"You can't say there isn't money for something if you don't even know the price of it," he said. "There has been nothing said that the county is paying.

According to Halter, most of CR 484 goes through Jay Brickell's property, and he owns a large amount on both sides of the road.

"If he wants it widened (and) the county commission has the funding ...," said Halter. "My personal thoughts on it (are) that operation brings in a lot of of tax revenue into the county."

Halter said if a "little bit" of tax money is spent to make improvements benefiting the park, which brings in tax dollars from those coming into Butler County, it is worth the money.

Halter said if a "little bit" of tax money is spent to make improvements benefiting the park, which brings in tax dol- lars from those coming into Butler County, it is worth the money.

"If they're not spent ... and the events go away, we lose tax dollars coming into the county," said Halter.

Jay Brickell, according to the synopsis, said they were "considering" enforcing a new rule, which would require a minimum age requirement for people entering the park during their large events.

In addition, Jay Brickell indicated they are "working on regulations to try and prevent people from getting into the creek or river."

During DNR's recent investigation, the Brickells reported park visitors were "informed" it is against the law to operate vehicles in the stream; however, evidence was found indicating that law had been broken during the June event.

When Halter asked who was going to enforce these regulations, he referred back to the synopsis in which the Brickells indicated they had hired an outside security firm and would continue to do so.

Halter said he suggested the parties meet before each large event at Brick's, so "ev- eryone is on the same page" and knows "what their role is."

Tough Mudder, which was held in 2012, was "flawless," said Halter, who attributed that to the Tough Mudder organizers required meetings with the various parties and "followed through on it."

Halter said he doesn't mind pulling everyone to- gether and starting the dia- logue, but the county com- mission, landowners and emergency responders have to follow through just as the Tough Mudder organizers did "up to the day of and after the event."