FEATURE
ClarkCo State Pa r k
A hidden gem for campers
Story by Glenda Sanders Photos by Bill Graham
Springtime ’ s warmer temperatures are bringing an influx of hikers , fishermen and campers to the beautiful Clarkco State Park . Located near Quitman , Clarkco sits on 815 acres of naturally scenic woods surrounding its 65-acre Lake Ivy . Clarkco is breathtaking in the spring , said Helen Miller of Mobile , Alabama , who honeymooned with husband Josh at the park the month of March .
“ We love the oaks and the pines and this time of year the dogwoods are blooming . It is nice as you drive in because the azaleas are blooming and it is so pretty ,” she said . “ New life is beginning , and our life together is beginning , so it just seems perfect that it is happening in spring . It is like Mother Nature is celebrating with us .”
Josh Miller first visited Clarkco 20 years ago on the recommendation of his parents , who had celebrated their wedding anniversary at the park in 2000 . Helen began coming with him even before they started dating .
“ This is our favorite place in the whole region to camp . We have tried a few other places and we always end up back here ,”
www . meridianstar . com he said . “ We really like it here and we really like Tony ( Fleming ), the manager , and Rhonda ( Thomas ), who runs the front ,” Josh Miller added . “ We have gotten to know them really well . They just go above and beyond to try to do everything they can for us . There is nothing like the hospitality that you get here .”
Fleming , park manager since 2016 , is not surprised the
Millers return each year . “ Once you come here , you will keep coming back ,” he said . Named for Clarke County , Clarkco is one of 800 parks built nationwide during the 1930s as part of President Franklin D . Roosevelt ’ s “ New Deal ” program to create jobs during the Great Depression .
Mississippi used New Deal funding to establish its own Civilian Conservation Corps to build several state parks . Clarkco , opening in 1938 , is one of those originally parks .
“ The CCC guys who laid out this park knew what they were doing ,” Fleming said . “ From every one of our campsite pads , you have a good view of the lake .” continued on page 8
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