Source: DPNR Web site

By Gary M

Deer Park Rebuilds

This park, known as Treehouse Fun Ranch in the 1990’s, has gone through a major renovation during the past several years. Gone are the funky old trailers and tired landscape. And the “swingers” seem to be long gone as well. Trees and grass have been planted, and the residents seem to have a new pride in the way their personal spaces look. A new pavilion center was constructed alongside the large upper pool and acts as the park’s social center during the warmer months. It has a snack bar open for lunch and drinks on weekend afternoons.

The Trails’ End clubhouse and restaurant has been rebuilt, complete with new wallpaper and paint, a new roof, and an upgraded indoor Jacuzzi. Volunteers still cook the food but they do a nice job providing a decent meal for the average price of $5-7. The Trail’s End also has a new flat screen TV over the bar that shows sports events, mostly NASCAR and football, as they are the games these residents enjoy the most. There is also a Wii playstation for those who want to challenge each other to a computer version of tennis, bowling, or Guitar Hero. On Saturday nights, the restaurant transforms into a Karaoke center which seems to bring down all the residents to either watch or participate. Some of these people have great voices! The complex also has a new pool table, which also seems to be in constant use.

In summary, the enthusiasm of the residents and the steer stubbornness of the friendly office staff seem determined to keep this park going no matter what. The park owners are also behind them, so it seems Deer Park is going to come out of this recession just fine.

Below are reports about our club visits there during 2009: