For events approaching Octoberfest's size, i.e., 500-600, the site should have more portapotties distributed across the area. Also, if we are going to have so few (please correct me if I'm wrong but I believe there were either six or eight), there should be at least one cleaning/restocking of TP.

I know it's just a pipe dream but I thought an observation deck on the area where people enter the main field would be nice for both photographers and for providing shaded area for observers. Maybe something like this:



It might also be a good spot for building some flush toilets and water fountains closer to the main field.

The main field needs to be rolled a little more. Originally, I had concerns about some of the higher vegetation but we managed to flatten it down over the course of the event. Ideally, the main field should look similar to the camping/bonfire/feast area in terms of level ground and grass height but I know there are logistical challenges in doing this.

how about benches in the barn where bardic games was held and how about a pa system for it it was really hard tear the people on stage and I was directly in front of them

After having seen the site, my concerns have already been voiced in the last two posts.

The barn bardic games was held in is going to be restored over the winter. permanent benches may not be put in since the barn can be used for other things, but there is plenty of room for ninja chairs.

More bathrooms are in the works and hopefully a few will be out in time for springwar.

This event was the worst the field will be. the more it gets used the flatter it will get.

I wanted to use the lake.
Maybe next time.

They had some issues after the flood, it'll be resolved next year.

I can't wait to see what the site looks like next year! One question though, will the beach front be expanded around more of the lake?

Eventually. once we get the back part and the other lake opened up, then we'll expand the beach more, since it will be a swimming only lake.

Shall the bridge across the river be made of stone and the bones of the slaves who died making it?

I know about the problem of the lake, I would have been found every morning in the water with a snorkle, looking for the turtles.

I can now safely say that it was all truly wonderful. I enjoyed every moment of it and the 28 hour trip to and from was well worth it.

Thank you for having us.

Thought spurred by discussion in the guild forum...
An AED might be good to have around. The site is pretty far from a hospital, especially if it were to come down to a heart failure. Some areas/fire departments/charities will donate AEDs to sites.

I bought one for my in-laws a couple of years ago. They aren't that expensive. We will be getting one for the park.

I heard about the plans for a wedding venue idea.
I am currently practicing my bride-zilla impersonation, so I will be compiling a informational post about such ideas in the near future.
;>

Also, say there was a secure building the size of a 2-3 car garage that was wired with 220...would there be an interest in obtaining things such as a table saw, wood-lath, planer, drill press, router w/ table...ect...?
even if these things might need a bit of TLC due to having been in a storage unit for the past 2ish years?

Sorry for the delay in answering this.... YES. We would be interested in wood working tools. We have several available places to put them.

just an idea, but I think an obstacle course would be fairly awesome and you might attract some boyscouts as well

So... there have been many great ideas for the park, as well as some other "questionable" ideas....
ANYWAYS...
I was talking with the BF and some others recently and we were wondering if you were ever looking for any labor to make any of these ideas come to life? I mean.. I am not some crazy skilled carpenter or anything like that... but I can paint... I can mow... I can clean up old junk and what not....
Myself and several others from the O H I O are ready and willing to come out for a few days and lend some labor if you ever need it!!
Its always great to get away from home for a few, even if it is to get a little dirty!!
Anything to help make this site great!!
Who knows, maybe we will need help out here some day........

They are ALWAYS looking for volunteers, and there are fighters out there all the time.

Aye, the experience is highly recommended.

Best vacation ever

no problem Kegg (sorry for my delay in answering your delay hehe)
I'll be at Arm, so maybe we can work on the logistics of making such a thing happen, and I should have an inventory of what will be available by then.

http://maps.google.com/maps?g=Caerleon, ... outube.all

Here is a structure in Newport UK. It was left by the Romans brief takeover. There is a video from the location... I think it would be awesome to build such a think. It would take about 2 or 3 days to build the mounds with a bulldozer.

We hope to be able to do things like that. Roman fort=neat.

I would really like a deer stand, in the trees next to the battlefield ! Great for photographs !

Like this?


Or like this?




I like this one.


It would be a good Idea if we got or made some thing that locks down. Too make it safe from drunk people.

Is the main gravel road going to be filled a little before Octoberfest? The holes made my car sad.

Lynard, I was thinking more along the lines of a tree fort.

Chibi, I asked the same thing, I heard that gravelling of the roads is planned. I hope for some smoothing of the gravel as well

Maybe we can use a 6ft or 10ft ladder.

if you set up a few deer stands in different locations, you can have piles of photographs of everything

the other kind of deer stand is a braced platform to a tree. Looks like a stand to dive off. Big enough for you to sit on with a few things, plus you belt strap yourself to the tree so you don't fall off.
The squirrels wont be able to spot Crynolyn in that... we might lose her in a tree somewhere.

I was wondering if there might be some more photos of the site anyone could toss up here? Some Dagorhirim I know are looking for a site to get a huge Midwest shindig going on in (for both Dag and Bel to just come and throw foam) so I thought I'd show them the park.

Here's a satellite view of it: http://www.stickjock.net/Home/Map

The south field is where fighting has taken place at recent events. Immediately to the right of the camping area, across that road by the lake is where the pavilion & shower houses are.

Thanks much

Hakon, Lotsa pictures at the site;

Stonehouse park's first WWII re-enactment, March 15th, 2009;

http://s651.photobucket.com/albums/uu23 ... mview=grid

The Zombie Larp in May;

http://s651.photobucket.com/albums/uu23 ... mview=grid

The site is constantly changing. They have an onsite crew working on fixing it up daily. Every time I visit it looks better and better.

BTW, The camping area on this map; http://www.stickjock.net/Home/Map

Isn't quite right. The Southwest corner is staff housing.

Rough Draft;

I just came across this sweet watch tower that might inspire a cool viewing structure.





http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/ ... 8162904000
http://www.postcardsfrom.nl/20/nl205296.jpg

Personally, I think an outdoor Theater area could be nice. It doesn't have to be as fancy as the one in this photo, but a small secluded place where Units and Realms can do promotions, recognitions, that kind of thing. Build a small fire pit in the center for lighting.

I actually don't mind volunteering to help out on that next summer, My job is 9 months out of the year and I don't plan on taking more summer courses here at EIU.



Also, are you looking at doing full Cabins at each location? It might not be necessary for every site. Back when I was a Scout some campsite locations had wooden Tent Frames w/ old Military Canvas tents on them. I can't imagine it's too hard to build Viking Style A frames such as this:
http://www.currentmiddleages.org/tents/norseaframe.htm

Combined with:http://store.colemans.com/cart/us-military-pup-tent-2-half-shelter-systems-unused-p-2178.html?currency=USD

Another such benefit could be (I'm not really up to speed on Property Taxes for parks like Stonehouse.) that since it's not a permanent structure, I don't believe that it would ramp up the value of the park therefore keeping taxes lower, thereby allowing more money to be reinvested into the park's reconstruction. If I'm wrong just lemme know

Megs and I think a large gazebo would be great for weddings at the park. Something along these lines, with a Numenor star on the floor

http://realityfish.files.wordpress.com/ ... 0-1080.jpg

Open sides are important so that the crowd can all see inside, and great for the photographers.

I am just wondering if the AED is now available I am trained to use AED in Canada, and just wanted to know if there was one at the park and where it was located to add to my/our trip planning. Thanks so much

Spring is coming up soon to Illinois. HellHammer is making some plans to come out and volunteer some time to improve our site and our park. Is the calendar here http://www.stonehousepark.net/schedule.htm accurate? Thanks.

Yes, the calender is accurate.

Thanks...everyone should get out donate some time.

Is there any way to fix the flooding and poo lake dilema?

You need to talk to mother nature about the flooding

Bo mentioned at our BoD meeting that something was being done to hopefully minimize flooding in the future, though I can't recall what.

given the present layout, i honestly think it should be made easier to flood and drain, rather than trying to stop it. the real problem i saw wasn't the initial flood, but the lack of drainage afterward.
i had some ideas, but it would take the castle field out of service for a season or two. dunno how well that would fly.

edit: god i can't spell tonight...

As of right now there are no plans to do anything to do the fighting field or to the drainage. We have just had a very rainy season which caused the fields to flood twice this year.

I was really impressed at all the improvements to SHP. I hadn't visited since September. The removal of the year round campers from the main area is great. So much more prime shady campsites with electric and water. So much more brush has been cleared. The general store is like a brand new building.

There are a few things I would like to see improved though. The porta potties that washed away in the flood should really be set somewhere else. I'm assuming that will help to fix the E Coli issue in the lake ?

The bathhouse looks excellent from the outside, and the back porch is wonderful. But the insides are really yucky. There is always water around the toilets and it's difficult to keep long garb out of it. The showers sometimes have an issue with temperature, I heard a lot of women complaining that the water was alternating between hot and cold, hot and cold. The sink faucets next to the soap are wonky. Water sits on the floor there as well. Water sits on the counter and makes it difficult to use it to set clothes or makeup bags on. 1 mirror is set to high. I do appreciate the extra full length mirror in there, and the decorations are better than the old birdhouse theme. I would love to see improvements made to the inside of the shower house pretty please.

The porta potties really need to be cleaned more often. They were nasty when we arrived, and they were not cleaned for the length of the event. They also do not have hand sanitizer. Many of you have heard about the sickness that happened at CW13. I'm fairly certain the problem was spread by the dirty porta potties and people who did not use sanitizer after using them. So I would LOVE to see hand sanitizer in every porta potty.

The park employees are all wonderful. They were always around to help. The flood rescue mission on Wednesday night was fantastic. You guys rock. The barn area looks amazing. It was perfect for feast and sin night.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how much has changed between now and Octoberfest. Keep up the good work

Oh How much do those guys miss us since we've switched from forest glen to stonehouse...