Pinnacles Youth Park a hidden gem, Columbia, Missouri - News Article Locations on Waymarking.com

The Pinnacles Youth Park, Columbia, Missouri, is a unique private park open to the public. This place truly is a gem! Great place to take the kids.

A partial clipping from the story:

"Natural playground

Across the Silver Fork is a narrow pass up to the peaks, including the keyhole-shaped peak directly across from the picnic area. Balancing precariously on the rocks, it isn’t difficult to imagine being swept off the edge by the winds. For those without a fear of heights, the rocks serve as a natural playground of tunnel-like caves to climb through and limestone boulders to maneuver. Because the ridge ends at the edge of the park’s property and a vertical rock face, hikers must turn around and climb down the same way they came.

“This is what people come for: the craggy nature, the ability to climb where you want to climb,” Burk said.

On the southwestern side of the park is another geological wonder, the cave-like overhang called the Shelving Rock. The 40-foot-deep, 125-foot-long shelf is another effect of floodwater from Silver Fork Creek.

Schulte said the MU Geology Club has come to examine the unique confluence between Silver Fork and Kelly Branch, the rock formations and the fossils to understand how the peaks developed.

Burk estimated 10,000 people come through the park annually, but few make it through the entire park.

“Most people who come out to the park only use the first five acres and never use the other 72,” Burk said.

The front five acres of the park are a lowland recreation area with a few tables and several picnic shelters, including the biggest shelter, named in memory of Don Burk.

Phil Burk knows more people would explore further into the park if it weren’t for Silver Fork. He said board members have discussed building a bridge across the creek, but not all members agree it’s a good idea. Limited access to the Pinnacles isn’t such a bad thing, they think.

“People do climb on the rocks, but they are limestone and slowly degrading. The less people we have on the rocks, the more the rocks will maintain themselves,” Burk said. “The creek, I believe, is in and of itself a natural barrier for being on the rocks.”

Type of publication: Internet Only When was the article reported?: 04/15/2009 Publication: Missiorian Article Url: [Web Link] Is Registration Required?: no How widespread was the article reported?: regional News Category: Kids/Youth

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