Former Governor Jay Nixon (D) [2016 file photo].

Via Missouri State Parks:

Jay Nixon State Park

….Located in Reynolds County, the park’s rugged landscape serves as a backcountry access to the Ozark Trail, which links Taum Sauk Mountain and Johnson’s Shut-Ins state parks. The park features rugged terrain and unblazed trails, making it perfect for those familiar with wilderness travel and seeking a true backcountry experience. The park also includes a rare mountaintop lake, which is home to bluegill and largemouth bass. The park is named for Missouri’s 55th Governor, whose support for conservation and state parks has been nationally recognized….

A press release from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 05, 2017
[….]
Jay Nixon State Park Offers New Backcountry Experience

Missouri’s newest state park offers an outstanding backpacking experience in the heart of the rugged St. Francois Mountains. Missouri State Parks has announced the opening of Jay Nixon State Park, 1,230 acres of wooded, rugged terrain that includes opportunities for backpacking with a connection to the Ozark Trail.

Located in Reynolds County, the park’s rugged landscape serves as a backcountry access to the Ozark Trail, which links Taum Sauk Mountain and Johnson’s Shut-Ins state parks. The park features rugged terrain and unblazed trails, making it perfect for those familiar with wilderness travel and seeking a true backcountry experience. The park also includes a rare mountaintop lake, which is home to bluegill and largemouth bass.

The property was purchased in 2015 with funds received from a Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration settlement with the American Smelting and Refining Company LLC (ASARCO). The Missouri Trustee Council, which includes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, reviewed the proposed purchase at a public meeting on Dec. 18, 2014 at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park.

Currently, there are no facilities at the state park, which can only be accessed from the Ozark Trail. In the future, basic services such as campsites, water and restroom facilities may be added.

Bordered by Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and close to Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, Jay Nixon State Park makes a great addition to anyone seeking a backcountry experience.

The park is named for Missouri’s 55th Governor, whose support for conservation and state parks has been nationally recognized.
With the addition of Jay Nixon State Park, Missouri State Parks now offers 92 state parks and historic sites.

###

A bill, filed by Representative Paul Fitzwater (r) this past Thursday:

HB 600  
Renames “Jay Nixon State Park” as “Proffitt Mountain State Park”
Sponsor: Fitzwater, Paul (144)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2017
LR Number: 1353H.01I
Last Action: 01/12/2017 – Introduced and Read First Time (H)
Bill String: HB 600
Next Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: HOUSE BILLS FOR SECOND READING

The bill text:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 600 [pdf]
99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE FITZWATER (144).
1353H.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 253, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the renaming of a certain state park.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 253, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 253.125, to read as follows:
253.125. The state park currently known as “Jay Nixon State Park” located in a county of the third classification without a township form of government and with more than six thousand but fewer than seven thousand inhabitants and with a city of the fourth classification with more than one hundred fifty but fewer than two hundred inhabitants as the county seat shall hereby be renamed, known, and cited as the “Proffitt Mountain State Park”. Any such costs expended for the renaming of such state park shall be paid by the department.

[emphasis in original]

That didn’t take long, did it?

“…Rep. Paul Fitzwater, a Republican, represents Iron County and parts of Washington, Wayne and Reynolds Counties (District 144) in the Missouri House of Representatives…”

Fairfax: …Man, that’s just mean. That’s mean, man…