Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission Meeting
June 28, 2007
By Kimberly J. Williams, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
The following is a synopsis of the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission meeting held June 21 - 22, 2007, in Batesville, Arkansas. For questions regarding this report, please contact Jana Greenbaum, communications manager, at (501) 682-7606.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
ATVS in the Ouachita National Forest
The Ouachita Four-Wheeler Riders Association asked the Commission to write a letter to the Ouachita National Forest requesting a three-year moratorium be placed on the closing of any trails in the forest regarding ATV riding and that the trail between Mountain Harbor and Crystal Springs resorts be recognized as a pilot trail program. The association has agreed to be responsible for all maintenance and upkeep on the designated trail. For more information, contact Richard Davies at (501) 682-2535.
STATE PARKS DIVISION:
Bull Shoals-White River State Park/James A. Gaston Visitors Center
Since October 2006, the James A. Gaston Visitors Center has welcomed 43,518 visitors. A total of 2,492 students have attended 70 in-park school programs, and 3,726 visitors participated in 122 interpretive park programs. For more information, contact the Bull Shoals-White River State Park at (870) 445-3629.
Village Creek Resort Update
Village Creek Resort, LLC (VCR) closed on their resort-financing loan with Cross County Bank on May 24. VCR has finalized a new contract with Oliphant Golf Ventures, LLC, who will resume work this month on completing the 27-hole Andy Dye signature golf course. For more information, contact Greg Butts at (501) 682-7743.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
Crater of Diamonds State Park has enjoyed a busy spring season. As of May, over 109,000 people have visited the park. Comparatively, the total visitation for fiscal year 2006 was 62,692. A total of 63 diamonds were found in May 2007, compared to 52 diamonds in May 2006. For more information, contact Crater of Diamonds State Park at (870) 285-3113.
TOURISM DIVISION
Advertising Committee Report
A committee was formed to evaluate the current regional tourism associations recognized by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The committee will evaluate the boundaries and funding given to the 12 regional tourism associations. For more information, contact Donna Perrin at (501) 682-1926.
2007 Fall Online Media and Creative Recommendations
Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods presented the 2007 Fall Online Media and Creative recommendations for Arkansas.com. The Commission approved the media budget and creative recommendations submitted by CJRW. For more information, contact Karen Mullikin at (501) 975-7217.
Destination: Arkansas
Chris Tarrant and John Wilson, two well-known British journalists, visited Arkansas in early June to fish for carp. Carp fishing is very popular in the United Kingdom and the Arkansas trip will be featured in various newspapers, magazines and at least two DVDs dedicated to fishing. The pair is expected to visit Arkansas again within the next year. For more information, contact Melinda Hawes at (501) 682-1219.
Familiarization Tours
Since March, over 40 national and international travel writers have participated in familiarization tours throughout Arkansas sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. In October, the Southeast Outdoor Press Association will host its annual conference in North Little Rock and familiarization tours of Arkansas will be available for SEOPA members. For more information, contact Jana Greenbaum at (501) 682-7606.
Independence County Tourism Statistics
According to the 2006 – 07 Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Annual Report, Independence County had $28,665,138 in total travel expenditures and 141,744 visitors (person-trips) during calendar year 2006. An estimated 437 jobs are supported by tourism, with a payroll of $6,616,315. Travel-generated state tax amounted to $1,866,752, and local tax $612,342.
For more information on tourism statistics for Arkansas, please contact Joanne Hinson, Manager, Research & Information Services at (501) 324-1520.
####
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-7606
E-mail: info@Arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
By Kimberly J. Williams, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
The following is a synopsis of the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission meeting held June 21 - 22, 2007, in Batesville, Arkansas. For questions regarding this report, please contact Jana Greenbaum, communications manager, at (501) 682-7606.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
ATVS in the Ouachita National Forest
The Ouachita Four-Wheeler Riders Association asked the Commission to write a letter to the Ouachita National Forest requesting a three-year moratorium be placed on the closing of any trails in the forest regarding ATV riding and that the trail between Mountain Harbor and Crystal Springs resorts be recognized as a pilot trail program. The association has agreed to be responsible for all maintenance and upkeep on the designated trail. For more information, contact Richard Davies at (501) 682-2535.
STATE PARKS DIVISION:
Bull Shoals-White River State Park/James A. Gaston Visitors Center
Since October 2006, the James A. Gaston Visitors Center has welcomed 43,518 visitors. A total of 2,492 students have attended 70 in-park school programs, and 3,726 visitors participated in 122 interpretive park programs. For more information, contact the Bull Shoals-White River State Park at (870) 445-3629.
Village Creek Resort Update
Village Creek Resort, LLC (VCR) closed on their resort-financing loan with Cross County Bank on May 24. VCR has finalized a new contract with Oliphant Golf Ventures, LLC, who will resume work this month on completing the 27-hole Andy Dye signature golf course. For more information, contact Greg Butts at (501) 682-7743.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
Crater of Diamonds State Park has enjoyed a busy spring season. As of May, over 109,000 people have visited the park. Comparatively, the total visitation for fiscal year 2006 was 62,692. A total of 63 diamonds were found in May 2007, compared to 52 diamonds in May 2006. For more information, contact Crater of Diamonds State Park at (870) 285-3113.
TOURISM DIVISION
Advertising Committee Report
A committee was formed to evaluate the current regional tourism associations recognized by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The committee will evaluate the boundaries and funding given to the 12 regional tourism associations. For more information, contact Donna Perrin at (501) 682-1926.
2007 Fall Online Media and Creative Recommendations
Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods presented the 2007 Fall Online Media and Creative recommendations for Arkansas.com. The Commission approved the media budget and creative recommendations submitted by CJRW. For more information, contact Karen Mullikin at (501) 975-7217.
Destination: Arkansas
Chris Tarrant and John Wilson, two well-known British journalists, visited Arkansas in early June to fish for carp. Carp fishing is very popular in the United Kingdom and the Arkansas trip will be featured in various newspapers, magazines and at least two DVDs dedicated to fishing. The pair is expected to visit Arkansas again within the next year. For more information, contact Melinda Hawes at (501) 682-1219.
Familiarization Tours
Since March, over 40 national and international travel writers have participated in familiarization tours throughout Arkansas sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. In October, the Southeast Outdoor Press Association will host its annual conference in North Little Rock and familiarization tours of Arkansas will be available for SEOPA members. For more information, contact Jana Greenbaum at (501) 682-7606.
Independence County Tourism Statistics
According to the 2006 – 07 Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Annual Report, Independence County had $28,665,138 in total travel expenditures and 141,744 visitors (person-trips) during calendar year 2006. An estimated 437 jobs are supported by tourism, with a payroll of $6,616,315. Travel-generated state tax amounted to $1,866,752, and local tax $612,342.
For more information on tourism statistics for Arkansas, please contact Joanne Hinson, Manager, Research & Information Services at (501) 324-1520.
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-7606
E-mail: info@Arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"