There's a gorgeous stretch along the Mississippi on the western edge of Desoto County. You can watch barges glide gracefully by through Horn Lake Pass, while Butterflies rest in the grass among the Tall Trees. It's called Bass Landing, the future site of Hernando Desoto Park. But if this is to become a park in the future, there are problems here that have to be dealt with.

There are beer cans, trash, spent rifle, shotgun and pistol ammo all over the future park site. There's a sign that says "no littering, no alcohol and no shooting." It is riddled with jagged bullet holes.

Sheriff Bill Rasco says the Board of Supervisors is working to pass a gun ordinance because of the county's growing Greenway program. One of the areas of concern in particular is Bass Landing and the future Hernando-Desoto County Park site.

"It's just one of those things that people need to realize. This is county, but this is a growing county, and there are not many places where you can go practice shooting anymore," says Rasco.

The gun ordinance will be discussed at a public hearing. Permit holders and sportsman's rights will be taken into consideration. There is thought that the new Greenway will bring Desoto County a shot in the arm. But, the hope is there are no errant shots fired in what is destined to become a park area along the river. In order for this to become a park, the shooting, drinking and trashing of the property is going to have to stop.

"Traffic is going to increase at Bass Landing, that is what the Greenway is all about, getting in shape and getting involved and doing things to relax," says Rasco.