Continued advancements and improvements planned for 2022
By Anne Martin
The Bolivar Bullet
Visiting the Mississippi River has never been easier thanks to the new Terrene Landing River Park in western Bolivar County. Located just north of Rosedale, the landing has always been there. However, a major over-haul has made Terrene Landing an attraction for fishermen, hunters, sightseers, paddlers and riverboats.
The new park offers paved parking and a wider boat ramp. Originally, the landing was dirt, gravel and sand. But the paved area makes it easier for anyone visiting the river.
The elevation of the park has also been raised to help prevent flooding, still making it accessible during high water.
However, work to the river park, which began in the fall of 2020, isn’t complete just yet. The Bolivar County Board of Supervisors, who oversee the park, will be accepting sealed bids at their January, 18, 2022 meeting for the next phase of construction which includes a pavilion, sidewalks, lighting, benches, handrails, restrooms and a timber railing. The supervisors have also voted to put in their own water well to provide water the site.
“We are working to get approval from the state board of health and put this portion of the project out for bid in the next couple of months,” according to Josh McPherson, vice president of Eley McPherson Engineering, the firm overseeing the project. “We hit some snags getting a water line in and getting the quality of materials we wanted.”
The COVID-19 pandemic caused some initial construction delays in material availability and an increase in costs. McPherson said they are working through the delays and hopefully will begin construction on this next phase in the spring of 2022.
Bolivar County administrator Will Hooker says the park is important for the county and for visitors coming to the area.
“This park can have a major impact for the entire county since we have the luxury of being a river county,” said Hooker. “Terrene Landing River Park ensures we have access to the river, not just for tourists but for local citizens where they can visit and bring their families.
Hooker went on to say it is important to make the Mississippi River as convenient as possible to anyone who wants to visit it whether they want to put a boat in the water or just watch a sunset.
“This park is a true asset to the county and those visiting the area,” Hooker added. “It is a natural resource for Bolivar County.”
When the park opened earlier this year, vessels with American Queen Voyages immediately began docking at Terrene Landing. The stop was added to the southbound itinerary of the American Queen, the American Countess and the American Duchess steamboats. Passengers dock at the river park and are shuttled by bus to Cleveland to tour various attractions and museums. The addition of Terrene Landing and Cleveland to the steamboat agenda gives the county the opportunity to share local history and attractions with folks who may otherwise not get to experience them.
The Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce is excited to have the river park available for local residents and tourists.
“One of our goals for the coming year is to provide signs so the public knows exactly how to access Terrene Landing and the river park,” said chamber CEO Lara Bowman. “We want to make the public aware of Terrene Landing, especially since it is one of the only places to see the river, open to the public, in this area.”
While Terrene Landing was always been open to anyone who wanted to visit or put a boat into the Mississippi River, the new park makes the river more easily accessible to anyone who wants to watch towboats pass by, take in the grand Mighty Mississippi, enjoy the grandeur of a Delta sunset or put their boat in the water.
Along with the Bolivar County Board of Supervisors, the $2.2 million project was funded by the state of Mississippi, the federal government in the form of matching grants and the Mississippi Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
Terrene Landing River Park is located just over the levee on Terrene Landing Road north of Rosedale.