State May Sue Dogpatch Community

First posted on 07-27-2010

Even though the park closed in 1993, Dogpatch (near Jasper, Arkansas), is still getting visitors. Except, these days, the visitors are from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).

It seems the ADEQ is continuing to test the waters of Mill Creek, which runs through the decaying remains of a theme park and tiny community surrounding it. Those tests are in preparation of a lawsuit alleging that the community is dumping raw sewage into a Buffalo River tributary.

In the late 1960s, creators of Dogpatch had big dreams and constructed the park in two phases. The first built the theme park as well as the buildings and infrastructure needed to support it, which included a large waste water treatment facility. Phase 2 was to include homes, an RV park, amphitheater and golf course, but it never really got off the ground. Big dreams and less than spectacular park attendance led to financial difficulties that resulted in a bankruptcy filing in 1980 and the eventual closure of the park in 1993.

The rides, buildings, pond and waste water facility all fell into disrepair as the Arkansas forest began closing in on the property.

Only a couple dozen homes were ever built and the sewage system, became the responsibility of the homeowner’s association. While the system is being repaired, it is not happening fast enough for ADEQ officials.

Funding is part of the problem. Rebuilding the system, which is the ultimate solution, would cost the 25 customers in excess of one million dollars. They are searching for funding options.

The state’s concern is the possibility of raw sewage being discharged into the pristine waters of the Buffalo River, a recreational haven for outdoors enthusiasts. The Buffalo was America’s first national river.

Tests conducted this week include pouring dye into the sewage system to see if any of it is discharged into public waters. If it does, proof of a raw sewage leak would be difficult to repudiate and may result in the state shutting down the water treatment facility completely.
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You can read more about the old Dogpatch theme park in freshare’s Anyone Remember Dogpatch, USA?

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