After 11 Days, Olde Rope Mill Park Remains Closed

While water levels continue to drop, some areas of Olde Rope Mill Park remains underwater.

The park is still closed to the public, but city crews are out pressure washing parts of the park that have made a reappearance after being underwater for days. 

Woodstock Parks and Recreation Director Preston Pooser said the deck overlooking Little River should be exposed by tomorrow, so the city can begin cleaning that area. 

However, the half-mile paved Trestle Rock Trail "south of the main park area, is still underwater," Pooser added. 

The river overflowed its banks around noon Sunday May 5, which forced the city to close the park after a weekend downpour left behind several inches of rain. 

The Taylor Randahl Memorial Mountain Bike Trails at the park also remained closed to the public, according to SORBA Woodstock.

While the park remains closed, that isn't stopping some residents from making trips to the park to use the amenities.

One user shared a photo of a man who appeared to be grilling food. 

Last week, Patch saw at least two men fishing at the park. One man was seen fishing from the pedestrian bridge, which was inaccessible to the public due to flooding. 

Another couple was seen with their dog in the park observing the flooding. 

One reader on May 11 wrote on Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch's Facebook page that he saw a birthday party in full-swing at the park's pavilion.

He said he took his son to see why the park was closed, and said the party was going on to his "astonishment." 

"I love riding and hiking the trails over there and do not want those privileges taken away because of the actions of a few," Ralph Apa said. 

Woodstock Police Chief Calvin Moss said he could not assign a full-time police officer to patrol who comes and goes at the park. 

"We are arranging for tape across the entrance and will post emergency no parking signs on the entry road," he added. "The gates to the park are already closed and there is a variable message board at Ridgewalk (Parkway) announcing that the park is closed."

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