MACON - Dustin Webb began his new job as superintendent at Long Branch State Park on June 26. Webb’s official title is Natural Resource Manager.

Webb is originally from Springfield, Ill. He graduated in 2004 from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau with a degree in parks and recreation.

In the past he has worked as assistant superintendent in Cape Girardeau and at Montauk State Park near Salem.

Webb resides in the superintendent’s house located in the park with his wife Hannah and children, Gracie, 3 and Grant, 1.

According to Webb, he is currently orientating himself with the area and getting to know the park.

“I arrived about the first week of all the flooding,” he said. “The other parks I worked at were by rivers where the water rose and went down very quickly. Here in Macon it is a different, much slower, process.”

According to Webb, the flood water has now receded and the campsites that were underwater are now all open. “We reopened the beach area last Friday.” he said.

Larry Jackson, the former superintendent, retired from the position.

 A groundbreaking ceremony to officially begin construction of a new 1,150 marina store is scheduled for July 17 at 11 a.m. at the location near the boat dock.