establishment, Village Creek SP in
voted to partner with the U.S. Forest
Cross and St. Francis counties was
Service (USFS) to develop the park
opened. This brought into the public
within St. Francis NF. This led to
trust a much larger tract of Crowley’s
a memorandum of understanding
Ridge — almost 7,000 acres. In
between ASP and the USFS signed
that Crowley’s Ridge was a place
fact, Village Creek is the largest of
Nov. 22, 1999, and the two agencies
of great natural beauty that should
Arkansas’ 52 state parks, providing
began formulating plans for the new
be protected for future generations.
extensive opportunities for camping,
park.
Efforts began in 1933 with the
wildlife watching, fishing, swimming,
establishment of 291-acre Crowley’s
boating, horseback riding and other
national forest will comprise
Ridge State Park (SP) on the original
activities. Five trails totaling seven
Mississippi River SP, including the
homesite of Benjamin Crowley,
miles allow hikers to explore the
recreation area on 625-acre Bear
the pioneer homesteader for whom
unique geology, abundant wildlife
Creek Lake near Marianna; the
the ridge is named. Today, visitors
and unusual plant communities of
access area at Horner’s Neck Lake,
still use the native stone-and-wood
Crowley’s Ridge.
an oxbow on the national forest’s
State parks on Crowley’s Ridge Arkansans realized long ago
facilities constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the park’s earliest years. Swimmers bathe in waters from a spring once used by Quapaw Indians. Wildflower and
eastern edge; the access area at
Mississippi River State Park The state parks just mentioned
the confluence of the St. Francis and Mississippi rivers, also on the east side; and the recreation area on 425-acre Storm Creek Lake
birding enthusiasts enjoy hiking on
were established following a north
near the national forest’s southern
Dancing Rabbit Trail. Anglers try
to south progression. Perhaps it was
end. Some projects are completed,
their luck in the park’s 31-acre fishing
to be expected then that the next
foremost among them the new
lake.
park on Crowley’s Ridge would be
12,208-square-foot information and
created even farther south, this
education facility. Inside, visitors
Fish Commission built 640-acre Lake
time in Lee and Phillips counties.
can enjoy interactive exhibits
Poinsett on Crowley’s Ridge near
Mississippi River SP, first proposed
about the area’s wildlife, plants,
Harrisburg. Lake Poinsett SP was
almost 50 years ago, was dedicated
history and geological features. The
established on the lake’s northern
on May 16 this year. It eventually
facility offers access to the half-mile
end in 1963, complete with scenic
will encompass 536 acres within
Trotting Fox Trail, an amphitheater
camping and picnicking facilities on
22,600-acre St. Francis National
for outdoor programs and Ranger
132 wooded acres. Most visitors come
Forest (NF), including upland tracts
Pond for fishing and aquatic
for the superb fishing, casting for
on Crowley’s Ridge and wetland
exploration. An adjacent multi-
Poinsett’s abundant bream, crappie,
areas adjacent the Father of Waters.
purpose building allows groups to
In 1960, the Arkansas Game and
bass and catfish.
In 1966, this area was proposed
meet here and serves as a discovery
Lake Frierson SP in southern
as a state park, but the idea was
center for visitors and students.
Greene County joined the line-up
dropped due to lack of funding.
Interpretive programs are offered,
of public lands on Crowley’s Ridge
The concept for a park adjacent
too, including guided hikes and
in 1975. The park originally was
the Mississippi wasn’t forgotten,
kayak tours.
built for day use only and offered
however, and in 1973, the state
only picnic sites, a boat ramp and
legislature authorized development
Bear Creek Lake has been renovated,
restrooms. Facilities have since been
of Mississippi River SP. It wasn’t
and now features 14 campsites with
expanded to include a visitor’s center,
until 1996, however, when
water/electric/sewer hookups, three
campsites, pavilions and nature trails.
Arkansas voters passed a 1/8-cent
walk-in tent sites and a bathhouse.
The 335-acre lake is home to a variety
conservation sales tax to help
Two new courtesy docks here
of sportfish, and the park is renowned
fund park projects, that efforts to
provide easy access to the lake.
for the beauty of its many blooming
find a park site began in earnest.
The adjacent day-use area includes
dogwood trees in spring.
On May 20, 1999, the State Parks,
picnic sites, swimming, a boat ramp
Recreation and Travel Commission
and the mile-long Bear Creek Lake
A year after Frierson’s
8
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Beech Point Campground on