Minooka Park, Chilton County’s ATV and wilderness park located just north of Jemison off Highway 31, has reached a new milestone. For the first time since opening in March 2008, the park will be open to the public five days per week.

It will be interesting to see what happens at the park over the next few years. It has drawn much criticism from the public, some warranted and perhaps some unwarranted.

On one hand, the millions of dollars in federal grant money spent on the park has made Minooka a protected site. In theory, it is a good idea to provide recreational opportunities that bring in revenue.

But on the other hand, Minooka is far from its potential. There are things that could be done to make the park more attractive, such as paving the entrance road, but that would be hard to justify in today’s economy.

Better marketing, especially within the county, could make Minooka a more successful project.