Redman East Campground at Lake Wappapello held a grand re-opening Wednesday morning. The campground had been closed since March 2023.
Operations Manager for the Wappapello Lake Corps of Engineers Bart Dearborn shared the cost of the project was $3.9 million from congressional U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funding.
At the beginning of the effort, the lake set a goal of re-opening the campground by Labor Day.
“It was a phenomenal job by this team,” USACE commander for the St. Louis district Col. Andy Pannier said. “My hat’s off to all those involved.”
Dearborn explained the campsite received all new amenities and utilities including electricity, water and sewer. He said the lake leadership had been asking for the money to renovate Redman East for several years before receiving funds in 2022 and 2023.
“We hit the ground running,” Dearborn stated. “We jumped at the chance.”
He recalled the challenges of getting the grass to grow back and fighting the heavy spring rains. Pannier joked he received calls on three separate occasions from members of the Mississippi River Commission asking when Redman East would be open again, each hoping to spend a weekend at the lake.
Sharing a memory of living in a recreational vehicle for two years, he said he knew the needs of the camping community.
“All of these amenities are going to meet those needs,” Pannier remarked.
Dearborn explained the grounds host 67 campsites with utilities, new showers and bathrooms.
With reservations flowing in steadily, he speculated the campground would be full by the end of the weekend.
“We hope you’ll come to love and cherish your time at Lake Wappapello,” Dearborn concluded.