Rivers & Lakes - 35 backroads & trails - 37 Make Polk County home Parks & recreation - 42

continued... The grand opening of the Wilhelmina Inn occurred on June 22, 1898. The KCPG railroad, facing financial difficulties, sold the lodge to what later became the Kansas City Southern Railroad. The original inn fell into disrepair, and permanently closed in 1910. The State Act 76 of 1957 created Queen Wilhelmina State Park and it was dedicated at the Louise Durham School in Mena with Governor Orval Faubus and Winthrop Rockefeller as the key-note speakers. A new lodge was built and opened June 22, 1963 using some of the original rock work and was in operation for 10 years. On November 10, 1973, a kitchen fire spread, destroying the lodge. A new lodge was then re-opened, in 1975 and is the third to have reigned over this location. The refurbished Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge reopened to the public in 2015, after a $9.6 million renovation and expansion. The lodge was expanded from 25,881 square feet to 37,029 square feet to include the addition of a new hearth room with fireplace. This room boasts an incredible wall of windows which frames the wide open views of the Ouachita Mountains. Today’s Queen Wilhelmina Lodge offers 40 guest rooms, including Queen, King, King with spa tub and gas fireplace, and King Suite choices. Two guest rooms on each floor, at the west end, include gas fireplaces and spa tubs. If it is business accommodations you are looking for, there is an upstairs meeting facility that includes a balcony overlooking the south view from the mountain. When it’s time for a quick break, a wrap-around porch, on the building’s south side, provides guests and visitors with a comfortable outdoor space. Be sure to get fueled up before heading out on your adventure. Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be enjoyed in the Queen’s Restaurant. Enjoy fine Southern fare with world class views. Before you leave, stop by the treasure-filled gift shop. There are many beautiful and unique items to choose from.

In addition to the lodge, Queen Wilhelmina State Park encompasses 460 acres, featuring a campground with 41 campsites and a bathhouse. Park campsites, hiking trails and overlooks are just a short walk from the lodge. There are picnic areas, trails, and a seasonal miniature train and mini-golf course. Take advantage of the daily, weekly, and monthly activities to participate in including park interpretive programs that highlight Rich Mountain’s unique fauna and flora. The park is located on Ark. 88 (Talimena National Scenic Byway) 13 miles west of Mena. To plan your adventure, visit the Queen Wilhelmina State Park website at www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/ queen-wilhelmina-state-park or call (877) 879-2741 or (479) 394-2863.

founded in 1844 20,000 approximate population county seat MENA locations on the national historic register 28 over 862 square miles 1/2 in the ouachita national forest 5 rivers 6 lakes & reservoirs 2 state parks 1 national scenic byway 383.1 miles of forest service roads 152.4 46.2 miles of hiking/biking trails miles of atv/utv trails rich mountain 2,861 elevation second tallest in Arkansas 1 airport 1 hospital 13 major employers with 50-500 employees 1.2 millon visitors each year

∙ ACORN ∙ ALDER SPRINGS ∙ BIG FORK ∙ BOARDCAMP ∙ BOGG SPRINGS ∙ CHERRY HILL ∙ COVE ∙ DALLAS ∙ DUCKETT ∙ EAGLETON ∙ GRANNIS ∙ HARTLEY ∙ HATFIELD ∙ HATTON ∙ HIGHLAND ∙ INK ∙ MENA ∙ MIDWAY ∙ MINERAL SPRINGS ∙ MOUNTAIN FORK ∙ NEW POTTER ∙ NUNLEY ∙ OLD POTTER ∙ OPAL ∙ POSEY HOLLOW ∙ RICH MOUNTAIN ∙ ROCKY ∙ SHADY ∙ SHADY GROVE ∙ VANDERVOORT ∙ WICKES ∙ YOCANA 40

City of Mena

www.cityofmena.org

Mayor Seth Smith

520 Mena Street 479∙394∙4585

City Attorney Patrick McDaniel City Clerk/Treasurer Linda Rexroad

Proud of our service to the citizens and working to build a promising future

Andy Brown Ward III, Position 1 Dwight L. Douglas Ward II, Position 1

Ed Gibson Ward III, Position 2 Mary Alice Head Ward II, Position 2 Terri Neugent Ward I, Position 2 James Earl Turner Ward I, Position 1

Welcome to Polk County, Call us for all your Housing & Property needs

Fulfilling “YOUR” Insurance Needs Since 1931 HOME · AUTO · COMMERCIAL FARM · BONDS · LIFE & HEALTH 479 · 394 · 6131

Bobbie Himel, Principal Broker Le-Ann Holmes, Designated Executive Broker Brenda Peeples, Realtor Deana Dixon, Realtor

Brianna Cook, Realtor James Michael Looney, Realtor Sandra Thomas, Realtor Kyle Todd, Realtor

1402 HWY 71 S · MENA, AR ARKANSASVALLEYINSURANCE.COM

Pam Thompson

financial consultant 479.216.1761 PamRallsThompson@gmail.com

JUST A WALK IN THE PARK

or maybe a run, do some somersaults, skip a little, join a game of pick-up, fly a kite, or feed the wildlife. The opportunities for fun are endless in one of Polk County’s numerous and beautiful parks!

Janssen Park Take a step back in time, at Mena’s beautiful Janssen Park. Located within walking Janssen Park distance of Mena Street, this jewel invites you in like a familiar friend. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 10 acre park hosts an 1851 log cabin which has served many purposes in its lifetime. It is rumored to have been used as a hideout by outlaw Jesse James, has been used as a hospital, post office, and city hall over the years. The park contains two spring fed ponds, two Mountain Howitzer Cannons, and a bronze boy and girl fountain purchased in 1914. Take a leisurely walk across the beautifully manicured grounds, gather for a picnic under the trees, plop down on a blanket and watch the ducks, or have a family gathering in the gazebo. Playground, picnic pavilon, basketball court, and restroom facilities are available. McMillan Park This large, wooded park is conveniently located a few blocks from downtown yet feels like it is miles away. A community treasure, McMillan Park offers something for everyone. If it’s a quiet picnic under the sprawling shade trees or a summer afternoon spent splashing in the neighborhood pool, make plans to enjoy all the park has to offer. McMillan Park features an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic pavilon, baseball fields and a skate park for the kids. Aubrey D. Tapley Sports Complex This 74 acre park located on Highway 71 North in Mena. There are currently 5 baseball/ softball fields, soccer fields, concession facilities including a pavilion, restrooms and two playgrounds. The future is bright for the complex as many more projects are being planned. The complex also serves as the venue for community events including the Annual 4th of July Celebration and multiple tournaments each year. Hatfield City Park A beautiful park located in the heart of the community offering a paved walking trail, seven outdoor exercise stations, handicapped accessible picnic tables, playground, restroom facilities, and a small stage for performances. Cove Park Small in size but big on fun, this quaint park has plenty of structures for kids and those of us who are kids at heart. A basketball court and covered picnic pavilon round out the offerings. Camp Pioneer Caddo Area Council’s Camp Pioneer is the most utilized Boy Scout Camp in Arkansas. Located in Hatfield, it sets at the confluence of the Mountain Fork River and Two Mile Creek. Every summer, the camp welcomes hundreds of scouts who flock to enjoy the activities of this establishment that has been in operation since 1916.

Baseball, softball, and soccer fields are all available at Tapley Sports Complex. 42