Commission Approves Trails and Recreation Facilities Grant Programs

First posted on 10-27-2011

Earlier this summer, Commissioners with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission approved up to $1 million for the Wildlife Observation Trails Pilot Program and up to $500,000 for the Wildlife Recreation Facilities Pilot Program.

The trails program grants were recommended by a seven-member advisory board appointed the Director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The recreation facilities were recommended by the Arkansas Department of Rural Services and the Arkansas Rural Development Commission. Money for the projects are a result of the AGFC’s oil and gas leases in the Fayetteville Shale.

The AGFC will enter into an agreement with 24 individual recipients for various projects aimed at developing interest in the state’s natural resources. The projects include 13 trail projects and 11 wildlife facility projects.

Both programs are a result of Act 686 and Act 687 from the 2009 Arkansas General Assembly.

The 13 trail locations and projects are:

* Alma, a new trail along with benches and signs at Lake Alma.
* Audubon Arkansas, trail and boardwalk at the Little Rock Audubon Center.
* Berryville, Mill Creek Trail.
* Bull Shoals/White River State Park, exhibits and wildlife viewing blinds along existing trail.
* Pulaski County/Central Arkansas Water, extension of Lake Maumelle trail at Bufflehead Bay and Loon Point.
* Gravette, wildlife observation trail at Pop Allum Park.
* Hobbs State Park, observation deck over a wildlife pond adjacent to the visitors center.
* Maumelle, trail and wildlife viewing station on White Oak Bayou.
* Mississippi River State Park, wildlife trail adjacent to nature center currently under construction.
* North Little Rock, develop water trail and hiking trail on White Oak Bayou.
* Pine Bluff, board over Brumps Bayou on Lake Saracen.
* Russellville, nature trail at Illinois Bayou Park.
* Springdale, new trail system at Rabbit’s Foot Wildlife Observation Area.

The 11 wildlife facility locations and projects include:

* Lawrence County, construction of new shooting range.
* City of Highland, boat ramps for Lake Mirandy, Lake June and Lake Plum.
* City of Eureka Springs, upgrade Lake Leatherwood Park marina to meet ADA compliance.
* Desha County, Kate Adams Lake fishing pier.
* Redfield, fishing piers on F.P. Baugh Park Lake.
* Little River County, handicapped fishing pier and boat shed on Lake Millwood.
* Calhoun County, fishing lake at SAU Tech.
* Chicot County, courtesy floating dock on Lake Chicot.
* Wayton/Newton County, safety baffle for shooting range.
* Independence County, archery range along with road and parking upgrades at the Rocky Willmuth Shooting Complex.
* Van Buren County/Fairfield Bay, courtesy dock on Greers Ferry Lake at the boat launch area across from Fairfield Bay Marina.

Both the Independence County and Van Buren County projects have already been completed.

Share | |