Meet the Owners of ArdPark, Private Furnished Cabin Rentals, Riverfront Camping Campground in Steelville Berryman Missouri

Friends, and sometimes more than that since our late teens, we finally joined as a couple in 1993. True soulmates, we married in a private beach ceremony on Grand Cayman Island in 1997. We live in Florissant. Our only child, Emileigh, is 23 years old, a 2010 college graduate, and out on her own doing well. Emileigh gave birth to her first child, Kaeden, and made Tim and I proud grandparents on June 16, 2011. Our red Doberman, Butch, was sadly laid to rest earlier this year at age 13. On 4th of July weekend 2011, a stray Rat Terrier, whom we named Shadow, adopted us and is now part of our family. Our home continues to be shared with two cats, Mea and Foxy, both of whom were dumped near ArdPark as kittens and managed to find their way to our cabin and hearts a few years ago.

Both of us having rural Missouri in our upbringings, the love for the outdoors came to us at an early age. Much of Tim's family is from Salem, Missouri. He spent many a day working at his grandparents' farm and exploring the woods with cousins and friends. Cindy's grandparents had a small weekend cabin near Montauk State Park where a lot of time was spent building fond memories. Her great aunt's Rolla farm was also a frequent stop. From all those wonderful experiences, Tim and Cindy continue to enjoy the simple things in life like picking blackberries, cutting firewood and taking walks on quiet trails. We are casual people with small needs.

Camping has been part of our lives since we can remember. After joining together many years ago, camping was an every weekend event and Steelville was our top destination. We remained faithful to a tent until our early 30s and eventually gave up the ground for a small pop-up camper. That was great and many good times were had, but our dream was to have some land of our own. By 35 or so, our search for the perfect slice of Missouri was on! We patiently looked and looked, and like a gift from God, part of the property now known as ArdPark was found.

The folks who sold the original 41 acres to us were generous enough to pass along the original deed. It was signed by President Buchanon, which evidences ArdPark was part of the Spanish Land Grant. People claim to find civil war buttons and other small remnants in the nearby creek beds. The 41 acres is borded on 3 sides by Mark Twain National Forest and came with a one room cabin that immediately became our second home. We live in that cabin at ArdPark more often than not, and commute between it and our Florissant home.

We have been fortunate and blessed over the years to acquire additional parcels that join those first 41 acres and fit together like a game of monopoly. It is those added 19 acres, also bordered by Mark Twain National Forest, that we have opened to share with you. The cabins and campground at ArdPark have been remodeled, renovated and renewed between regular work schedules and home life, often with help from a few close friends. Without their hard work and love, ArdPark would remain a work in progress for many more years. It was fun and rewarding putting ArdPark together back in the fall of 2007. Searching for and refinishing retro furniture, finding the perfect wall decor, making improvements along the way and watching everything unfold was a grand adventure.

Tim and I given blessing again in mid-2010 when we stumbled on and were able to acquire 97 acres directly across the road from the cabins at ArdPark. Although a lot of work needs to be done to get it ready for you, this extra acreage will become an extension of ArdPark in due time. Our short term plans are to do some logging to improve our timber stand and better define the existing trails for hiking. Thereafter we plan to build a fishing lake, probably 3 or 4 acres big, and make a few primitive campsites nearby. Several years down the road we hope to add at least one traditional type cabin. Right now, as our guests, you can rent the 97 acres for hunting and can also hike it if you'd like. There are 2 small springs and a charming wet weather creek that is lined with beautiful rocks and wild ferns.

ArdPark will always remain private and uncommercialized; for you and for us. Although we do plan to expand a little in the future, the number of facilities at ArdPark will always be small. You won't see ArdPark on giant billboards and you won't hear about us on radio advertisements. We absolutely want your experience here to always be personal and untouched. It is our goal to give our guests the opportunity to have a country vacation with privacy and freedom and all the conveniences of home for a reasonable price.

Some of our guests ask what made us decide to open our business. The simple answer is we've been blessed with so much and want to share it with folks so they can enjoy it too. No matter how many years go by, friends, Tim and I never want to go home when the time comes. It's just so good here. We are pleased to report that we have never sent home a guest that was less than refreshed and thrilled with their stay.

There is no doubt you will love and treasure ArdPark as much as we do and you will quickly know why we call it "The Place You'll Never Want to Leave." You have our sincere promise that ArdPark will give you an extraordinary country experience. We look forward to having you and yours as valued guests.

Warm regards, Cindy and Tim