State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission Summary

The following is a synopsis of the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission meeting held July 15, 2010, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Jonesboro, 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 updated the Commission on the House Agri-Parks and Tourism Subcommittee, which met at Harding University in Searcy on June 22-23. Davies reported the legislators were very impressed by the Department’s presentations and received very favorable feedback from those attending the meeting. For more information, contact Gloria Robins at 501-682-7614.

Davies discussed the progress of 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. The Southeast Arkansas inventory committee, led by Dr. Ruth Hawkins, has completed work on the inventory of available resources in the region. For more information, contact Gloria Robins at 501-682-7614.

STATE PARKS DIVISION

Proposed CY 2011 Fees and Rates

Commissioners voted to increase campsite, cabin and lodge room rental rates an additional 10% over CY 2010 rates. All rate changes for state park facilities may be viewed at www.adptfoi.com, www.sosweb.state.ar.us, any Arkansas State Park or the Little Rock office. Written comments may be submitted by mail to the Director of Arkansas State Parks at One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, or via email to kris.richardson@arkansas.gov by 5 p.m. on August 13, 2010. A public meeting will be held at 2 p.m. August 19, 2010, at DeGray Lake Resort State Park, Eagle Room. The public is invited to attend the meeting to provide oral comments. For more information, contact Greg Butts at 501-682-7743.

Explorer’s Program

Commissioners received a report on the Arkansas State Parks (ASP) Explorer’s Program. Aimed at children ages 6 to 14, the ASP Explorer’s Program is intended to help kids get to know and appreciate the state parks. The program replaces the Junior Naturalist and Park Explorer programs. For more information, contact Jay Miller at 501-682-6928 or Kelly Ferrell at 501-682-6929.

Village Creek Golf Course

Marcel Hanzlik, Region III supervisor, updated the Commission on the progress at the Village Creek Golf Course. Fairways, tee boxes and greens have been aerated and fertilized. Three greens and a practice green have been replaced. Plans are to reopen the course in summer 2011. For more information, contact Stan Graves at 501-682-1633.

TOURISM DIVISION

Research and Information Services Manager Joanne Hinson reported that visitation for June at Arkansas Welcome Centers was up 5.2% compared to May 2009. Visitation for January through June is up 8.5% compared to the same time frame in 2009. For more information, contact Joanne Hinson at 501-324-1520.

Communications Manager Dena Woerner announced the new Green tourism website is scheduled to “go live” the week of July 19. For more information, contact Dena Woerner at 501-682-7606.

Aristotle presented website statistics for June 2010, which included an 18.9% increase in visitation over the same period in 2009. The website placed number five during June among all 50 tourism sites and number one amid the contiguous state sites.

Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods gave an update on the Partners in Tourism program, including an upcoming joint video shoot with Ranger Boats.