September 2011 State Parks, Recreation & Travel Commission Summary

The following is a synopsis of the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission meeting at the State House Convention Center in Little Rock on September 14, 2011. For questions regarding this report, please contact Gloria Robins, executive assistant, at 501-682-7614. The next Commission meeting will be at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro on October 20, 2011.

Executive Summary

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Recreation Strategic Plan was recently released to the public. The plan seeks to transform and reposition the recreation program while maintaining its role as a major federal, water-based recreation provider. This plan and its implications on leisure activities and tourism within the state of Arkansas was discussed. The Commission asked the Department to provide talking points for the Commission on the economic impact of the USACE campgrounds.

Tourism Division

Tourism Director Joe David Rice announced that Assistant Tourism Director Nancy Clark will retire on Nov. 30 after 35-½ years of service to the Department. Marla Crider has been selected as the new assistant tourism director and will assume the position Dec. 1.

The Tourism Development section posted the Spring/Summer 2012 calendar of events to Arkansas.com. The entire FY12 Tourism Attraction Feasibility Study grant balance of $22,588 has been earmarked toward ventures in three Arkansas communities:

Batesville: $10,400, Natural Attraction–Polk Bayou project;
Osceola: $5,188, Mississippi River Floating Pier;
West Memphis: $7,000, conduct a study for the KWEM Radio project.

The 38th Annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism will be March 4-6, 2012, in West Memphis. Henry Awards nomination forms are being mailed. The deadline for all submissions is October 28, 2011.

Consumer requests for travel information year-to-date remain below last year’s totals for the same time period. The 2011 Arkansas Welcome Centers Fall Fam Tour takes place in Arkansas Delta Byways/Arkansas’ Land of Legends Regions, Sept. 26-30. Construction continues on the new Welcome Center in West Memphis.

The Tourism Division and CJRW presented a comprehensive 2012 Spring/Summer marketing campaign. The Commission approved the plan.

The Commission recognized the Bull Shoals-Lakeview Rotary for its success with the Hillbilly Chili Cook-Off. The event draws hundreds of people to the upper Bull Shoals-White River State Park area each year.

Dale Christy recently retired from the Northwest Arkansas Tourism Association. The Commission approved a certificate of appreciation for his many years of service.

State Parks Division

Jon Brown, Park Operations Manager, provided an update on The Ridges at Village Creek, the 18-hole public golf course at Village Creek State Park near Wynne that closed temporarily in June 2010 to allow for renovations, repairs and grow-in. The temporary clubhouse is 95% completed and major maintenance projects will be completed over winter. The anticipated reopening date for the course is Spring 2012. For additional information contact Greg Butts at 501-682-7743.