Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Two of the new camping areas stand near a sign at San Jon Village Park that were paid for with the help of a $300,000 state grant.
SAN JON - Travelers who take advantage of the free overnight camping at San Jon Village Park have more of a reason to stop there.
The village recently completed several improvements to its nearly 50-year-old park, paid for with a $300,000 state grant.
Village Clerk Cynthia Lee said the money was used to buy and build new park equipment, including a family shelter with picnic tables and new awnings and tables for the camping area.
"Our goal was to provide a new and safe recreational area for local families and travelers that visit our park," Lee stated in an email. "We feel we have accomplished this from the positive feedback we have received."
San Jon Village Park was built in 1976 as a Land and Water Conservation Project.
The park for years has received positive reviews online from overnight campers.
"It was quiet, felt very safe, and my kids had a ton of fun at the little park while we were packing up," one reviewer wrote last summer.
One wrote: "I think it's wonderful they open up the park for people to stay overnight."
Another wrote in November: "Thank you, people of San Jon, for providing this!"
Lee said to her knowledge, San Jon is the only village that offers free overnight camping at its park.
The village isn't done making improvements to the park.
"We are exploring options to upgrade the roadways and the basketball, tennis and pickleball courts," Lee said.
