Defeated Creek Getting New Bathroom, Picnic Area Closed for the Season

A small section of Defeated Creek Recreation area at Cordell Hull Lake will be closing early this season, so new facilities can be constructed.

The picnic area of the park closed to the public on Monday, so the new restroom facilities could begin construction. Cordell Hull Park Ranger Ashley Webster said the new facility much needed.

“Of course over time our stuff degrades,” Webster said. “We’re going to have a lot more maintenance and ONM costs in maintaining these locations and facilities, so this will take a huge burden off of us.”

In addition to the picnic area, an overflow parking area will also be closed during construction. The new bathroom is located across from the beach and boat ramp. The beach and boat ramp will still be open until October 31.

The new bathroom is replacing an existing 50-year-old facility. The new restroom is a modular construction. It will be brought into the area in pieces via crane after the old restroom is removed.

“This has been a several month process throughout this year to get it prepped and ready to get access to that area,” Webster said. “We got additional funding in order to do this package.”

The bathroom will be state funded thanks to a sustainability package submitted by officials at Defeated Creek. The new restrooms will have individual doors opening to a a bathroom facility. Webster said this offers more privacy to park goers.

The campground, the trail heads, and the big and small shelters will not be impacted by the construction.