Hillcrofters discuss new state park at meeting

At the quarterly member meeting of the Society of Ozarkian Hillcrofters, held at the Bonniebrook Homestead near Walnut Shade on May 20, members and the public attended an hour-long event featuring Carl Bonnell who gave an update on the progress of the Shepherd of the Hills State Park.

Hayden Head, President of the Society of Ozarkian Hillcrofters, began the meeting with a few comments. He stated, "We have a relationship with the Shepherd of the Hills State Park, where the Hillcrofters are helping drive the historical part of the park, and John Fullerton, who is the resident expert on that piece of property and Garber, has agreed to be the point person with the Hillcrofters and the State Park." Hayden then introduced their guest speaker for the meeting, Carl Bonnell, Deputy Director of the Ozarks Region of Missouri State Parks.

Carl Bonnell, Deputy Regional Director, Ozarks Region

Bonnell, who has been with MO State Parks for 34 years, still works out of the Table Rock State Park office. Bonnell shared a formal slide presentation giving an update on the park property. 

Bonnell explained the conceptual development plans that were completed in 2022 and went into detail about phase one for the Shepherd of the Hills State Park. With a size of 1,011 acres, the south day use area along Sycamore Church Road was revealed with plans for parking, offices and maintenance, and the proposed roadway to enter the property. 

Bonnell also discussed the progress of the trail system for hiking opportunities. There will be a connecting trail from the Ruth and Paul Henning property onto the Shepherd of the Hills State Park. He also gave a progress report on the restoration of the 1904 historic Garber school building.

It is still not known when the property will officially open. The Shepherd of the Hills State Park will include over 400 acres of glades, 700 plant species, and nearly two miles of Roark Creek. It is located at 4424 Sycamore Church Road, Branson. For more information, visit mostateparks.com .

For Hillcrofters information, please visit societyofozarkianhillcrofters.com. Their next public meeting is October 22, 2026, at the Shepherd of the Hills State Park barn, 4424 Sycamore Church Road, Branson.