Don Robinson State Park

Don Robinson State Park is a public recreation area covering more than 800 acres (320 ha) in Jefferson County, Missouri.[4] Located in the upper LaBarque Creek watershed, the state park's rugged landscape includes sandstone box canyons, shelter caves, cliffs, glades and upland and bottomland forests. The land was bequeathed to the state by businessman Don Robinson following his death in 2012. Robinson started acquiring parcels in the 1960s and stopped when he realized his ambition of amassing a holding the same size as New York City's Central Park.[5] The park opened to the public in 2017.[6] It features the stone house where Robinson began living in 1978[7] as well as two hiking trails and a picnicking area.[4]

Don Robinson State Park
Park overlook and Robinson stone house
Map showing the location of Don Robinson State Park
Map showing the location of Don Robinson State Park
Location in Missouri
Map showing the location of Don Robinson State Park
Map showing the location of Don Robinson State Park
Don Robinson State Park (the United States)
LocationJefferson County, Missouri, United States
Coordinates38°23′4″N 90°41′57″W / 38.38444°N 90.69917°W / 38.38444; -90.69917
Area818.18 acres (331.11 ha)[1]
Established2013[2]
Visitors88,143 (in 2022)[3]
Governing bodyMissouri Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteDon Robinson State Park

References

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  1. ^ "Don Robinson State Park: Data Sheet" (PDF). Missouri Department of Natural Resources. November 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  2. ^ "State Park Land Acquisition Summary". Missouri State Parks. August 25, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  3. ^ "Missouri State Park Attendance For January - December, 2022" (PDF). Missouri State Parks. February 3, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Don Robinson State Park". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. June 12, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  5. ^ Sorkin, Michael D. (March 22, 2012). "Missouri's next state park is gift from man who sold spot remover". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  6. ^ Staff (January 1, 2017). "New state park in Jefferson County will open next week". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  7. ^ Weiderman, Greta (March 22, 2012). "Late Don Robinson donates 843 acres for Missouri state park". St. Louis Business Journal. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
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