State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission Summary

The following is a synopsis of the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission meeting held June 17, 2010, at the Holiday Inn in Blytheville, Arkansas. For questions regarding this report, please contact Gloria Robins, executive assistant, at 501-682-7614.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Richard W. Davies informed the Commission that the House Agri-Parks and Tourism Subcommittee would meet in Searcy on June 22-23 at Harding University. For more information, contact Gloria Robins at 501-682-7614.

Davies updated Commission members on the Tourism Development pilot projects along the Arkansas River and in southeast Arkansas. The goal of the projects is to promote development of retail tourism businesses in the pilot areas. Project partners are currently working on an inventory of what is available (such as public lands, historic sites, natural resources and existing businesses) within the areas. For more information, contact Gloria Robins at 501-682-7614.

TOURISM DIVISION

Tourism Director Joe David Rice reported on the recent events held in Pine Bluff and Hot Springs for U.S. Representative Mike Ross in recognition of his efforts in the passage of the Travel Promotion Act.

Research and Information Services Manager Joanne Hinson reported that visitation for May at Arkansas Welcome Centers was up 5.8% compared to May 2009. Visitation for January through May is up 9.8% compared to the same time frame in 2009. For more information, contact Joanne Hinson at 501-324-1520.

The 2010/2011 Fall/Winter Online Campaign Media and Creative recommendations presented by Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods were approved. For more information, contact Dena Woerner at 501-682-7606.

Aristotle presented website statistics for May 2010, which included an 18% increase in visitation over the same period in 2009. May also saw a total of 104,494 direct links to tourism partners from Arkansas.com. The website placed number five during May among all 50 tourism sites and number one amid the contiguous state sites.

The fiscal year 2011 website budget was approved. For more information, contact Dena Woerner at 501-682-7606.

STATE PARKS DIVISION

State Parks Director Greg Butts presented Commission members with staff recommendations for calendar year 2011 fees and rates for preliminary review. Proposed fees and rates will be subject to a 30-day public comment period beginning July 14. For more information, contact Greg Butts at 501-682-7743.

The Commissioners approved a request to enter into Land Use Agreements with the City of Fort Smith covering 10.8 miles of proposed trails located within the Lake Fort Smith State Park. For more information, contact Stan Graves at 501-682-1633.

Commission members were updated on the status of the Mary Woods II at Jacksonport State Park. A salvage contractor has raised the sunken steamboat. At this point, staff members and the insurance company are preparing restoration cost estimates. For more information, contact Stan Graves at 501-682-1633.

Butts updated Commissioners on the Village Creek Golf Course. A soil analysis has been completed on the course and consultants have reported that the greens on the first 18 holes are salvageable. A news release was recently sent to media outlets throughout the state announcing that the course was closed and would reopen in summer 2011. For more information, contact Stan Graves at 501-682-1633.