What’s New for 2016 in Southwest Arkansas
Barefoot Paddleboards
Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) rentals and lessons are now available at DeGray Lake Resort State Park in Bismarck. Barefoot Paddleboards is set up by the swim beach at the park and offers rentals by the hour and lessons by reservation.
CONTACT: 2027 State Park Entrance Rd., Bismarck, AR 71929, 479-774-2266, www.BarefootPaddleboards.com.
DeGray Lake Sunset Trail
This one-mile ADA-accessible trail in Arkadelphia is paved and has views of Lower DeGray Lake. Right next to the trail is the DeGray Lower Lake Disc Golf Course. Located around two miles west of Exit 78/Caddo Valley on I-30.
CONTACT: 501-256-4262, www.DeGray.com.
Historic Scoggins House Community Event Center & Library
Restored historic home in Fouke with refurbished rooms including a library, a bride’s room, a groom’s room, reading room and computerized education center; available for musical programs, bridal and baby showers, genealogy and local historical research, workshops and other special programs.
CONTACT: 106 West Main St., Fouke, AR 71837, arkans.as/FoukeScroggins.
Kollective Coffee + Tea in Hot Springs
Coffee shop and tea house. Specializes in organic and local products.
CONTACT: 110 Central Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901, 501-701-4000, www.Facebook.com/KollectiveCoffeeTea.
Logoly State Park Visitor Center
The new facility is expected to open in 2016. The visitor center is focused on environmental education containing exhibits as well as multi-purpose rooms, which will provide space for seminars and classes. Offices for park staff are also included as well as a gift shop and welcome desk. There will also be a 75-seat amphitheater for outdoor educational programs. Call the park for further details.
CONTACT: CR 47 (Logoly Road), Magnolia, AR 71753, 870-695-3561, www.ArkansasStateParks.com/Logoly.
Maxwell Blade’s Odditorium and Curiosities Museum
An extension of Blade’s Theatre of Magic in Hot Springs, combo tickets can be purchased to see the exhibit of over 300 rare and unusual items from around the world.
CONTACT: 119 Central Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901, 501-623-6200, www.MaxwellBlade.com.
New Arkansas Water Trails
The Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge Water Trail has been added to the Arkansas Water Trails system. A free Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge access permit is required of anyone using the refuge. Permits are available online, at access points and refuge headquarters on U.S. 82. In other news, a camp site on the Wattensaw Bayou Water Trail near Hazen has also been added.
CONTACT: 501-223-6300, www.AGFC.com.
Pioneer Village
This collection of historic buildings in Rison has moved to the old country fairgrounds and is open again for business. The old church and historic houses are used as a venue for weddings, receptions and various other uses.
CONTACT: 200 Yaney St., Rison, AR 71665, 870-325-6381, www.CityOfRison.com/Pioneer-Village.html
Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge
The facility is open again following a $9.7-million renovation. Changes include updated guest rooms and addition of a new hearth room and porch for enjoying the panoramic view from Rich Mountain, Arkansas’s second highest mountain. The lodge is located on the Talimena National Scenic Byway near Mena.
CONTACT: 3877 Hwy. 88 West, Mena, AR 71953, 800-264-2477, 479-394-2863, www.QueenWilhelmina.com.
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