Attachment D Village Creek State Park Dark Fiber.pdf

Village Creek

State Park

Village Creek State Park offers you many oppor-tunities to explore a mature, diverse forest as well as find personal connections to the history and heritage of the Crowley’s Ridge area.

In east-central Arkansas, just 40 miles west of Memphis, is Village Creek State Park, a place with fascinating his-tory. European settlers moved into the area in the early 1800s, and in 1824, Congress authorized construction of the Memphis-to-Little Rock Road through here.

Completed in 1829, the road provided the first real access to the area. A post office was established by 1826 with the mail route following the Memphis-to-Little Rock Road. Today’s park includes several remarkable remnants of history's fabric: a portion of that now historic road, a section of the Trail of Tears, and some of the land owned by William Strong, the area’s first postmaster.

The park's 7,000 acres are on an unusual geologic formation called Crowley’s Ridge. Park facilities are centered in a long, wide valley which runs through the center of the park. This valley was cut into the eastern side of Crowley’s Ridge many years ago by the erosive action of Village Creek. Covering most of this rugged terrain is a mixed hardwood forest that differs distinctly from any other area of Arkansas. Several tree species commonly seen in the forest at Village Creek are mostly uncommon to the rest of the state, such as sugar maple, butternut, cucumber tree, and tulip tree or yellow poplar.

FACILITIES

Lodging ◆ Nestled in the woods along a ridge near Lake Dunn are 10 modern housekeeping cabins (varying one, two, and three bedrooms; one two-bedroom unit is barrier-free). These cabins are fully-furnished including kitchen utensils and linens, plus air-conditioning and heating for year-round vacation comfort. Wood-burning fireplaces, ceiling fans, televisions, screened-in porches, picnic tables, and grills make these park cabins the perfect place for a weekend or weeklong getaway. A limited number of cabins are dog friendly (fee applies).

Camping ◆ There are 96 campsites near Lake Dunn.

Included are 24 Premium A sites, five Standard A sites, and 67 Standard B sites (equestrian camp features all Standard B sites.) Each offers dual voltage electrical outlets, freeze-proof water hookups, a table, and grill.

Five modern bathhouses, two sanitary trailer stations, a swimming beach, playground, boat dock, and launch ramp are in or near the campgrounds.

Fishing and Boating ◆ Village Creek contains Lake Dunn and Lake Austell. Lake Dunn has a bait shop and dock where fishing boats, electric motors, kayaks, and pedal boats can be rented. Boat rentals are available on weekends in April and May, and Tuesday through Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Both lakes offer swim beaches and are stocked with bass, bream, crappie, and channel catfish.

(Note: The lakes are restricted to electric motors.)

Day Use Facilities ◆ Spacious picnic areas with tables, grills, water, and modern bathhouses are featured in the Lake Austell Day Use Area. A playground and swimming beach overlook the lake. There are four rental pavilions in the picnic area. Call or come by the visitor center to reserve these popular facilities.

Visitor Center ◆ The visitor center includes an A/V theater, store, gift shop, and offices. The adjacent Discovery Room features exhibits on the geologic and cultural history, as well as some of the common wildlife, of Crowley's Ridge. There is also a display on the four Indian nations forced move to land in Oklahoma, making their trek along the Memphis to Little Rock Road. This became the Bell Route of the Trail of Tears, a portion of which is preserved in the park. An audito-rium next to the Discovery Room is used for musical performances and special events. It is also available for rent.

Golf ◆ The Ridges at Village Creek, the park's Andy Dye signature golf course, features the rolling terrain of Crowley's Ridge, dramatic elevation changes, and the backdrop of the surrounding hardwood forest. The 27-hole course offers challenging championship play.

Call the pro shop for tee times: (870) 238-5226.

Other Facilities ◆ Hospitals, motels, restaurants, and other facilities are nearby in Wynne and Forrest City.

NOTE: All sites are reservable and can be reserved up to one year in advance. Pavilions must be reserved at the visitor center before being used (deposit required).

Cabins may be reserved online, by phone, or at the visitor center. Service animals are welcome in all facilities.

INTERPRETIVE SERVICES

Programs ◆ Guided hikes, programs, and acitivites designed to interpret the geologic and cultural history, as well as the unique ecosystems of Crowley's Ridge, are offered throughout the year. Groups may request programs of specific interest year-round. Arrangements must be made in advance.

Trails ◆ The Big Ben Nature Trail meanders one-half mile along Village Creek. A self-guided trail information brochure is available at the visitor center.

The Austell Hiking Trail extends over one mile from the visitor center to the picnic area through lush forest and some of the park’s most rugged and scenic terrain.

Five more miles of hiking trails, in addition to 25 miles of multi-use (horseback, mountain biking, and hiking) trails, lead through the park’s natural areas offering opportunities to view white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and many varieties of small game and birds.

Military Road Trail, a part of the Congressionally-designated Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.

Between 1831 and 1840, this was a major route of removal for thosands of Creek, Chicka-saw, Choctaw, and the 'Bell detachment' of Cherokee. This historic route has been called a remarkably preserved remnant of the Trail of Tears in existence today.

Special Events ◆ A variety of special events are held throughout the year such as Spring Wildflower Walks, Fall Foliage Weekend, and musical performances.

Call or write the park for dates and details, or check the calendar of events at ArkansasStateParks.com.

LOCATION

Take Exit 242 off l-40 just east of Forrest City and travel 13 miles north on State Hwy. 284; or travel six miles south on Hwy. 284 from Wynne.

[Visitor Center GPS: 35˚ 9.7' 44.9" N / 90˚ 43.1' 6.4" W]

For further information on park hours, programs, or services, contact:

Village Creek State Park

201 CR 754

Wynne, AR 72396

(870) 238-9406 For reservations, book online or call 1-877-879-2741.

e-mail: VillageCreek@Arkansas.com

For information on Arkansas’s other state parks, contact:

Arkansas State Parks One Capitol Mall, 4A-900 Little Rock, AR 72201

(501) 682-1191 ArkansasStateParks.com

As a part of its conservation mission, Arkansas State Parks has printed this brochure on recycled paper. All park services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis. Arkansas State Parks is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Arkansas State Parks 2017 arkanSaS

DePartment of ParkS & touriSm

VISITOR

CENTER

Forrest City 13 mi.

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ARK. HWY. 284

Village Creek B

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1 10 8

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B G C

F G

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Wynne

Forrest City West

Memphis Mississippi River

Parkin

Village Creek State Park

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64B

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Wynne 7 mi.

Pro Shop & Golf Course

Entrance

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LEGEND

A. RESTROOMS

B. BATHHOUSE

C. PAVILION

D. BOAT DOCK

E. BOAT RAMP

F. PLAYGROUND

G. PICNIC AREA

H. DUMP STATION

I. HORSE STABLES

NOTICE: To preserve scenic beauty and ecology, fences and warning signs have not been installed in some park locations. Caution and supervision of your children are required while visiting these areas.

Cabins

Amphitheater Flag Plaza

Beach (Campers Only)

Area A Sites 1 - 41

Big Ben Trailhead

Lake Austell & Arboretum

Trailhead

Military Road/ Trail of Tears

Trailhead

Tennis Courts

Basketball Court

Beach

Area B Sites 42-65

Lake Dunn Trailhead

Baseball Fields

Tennis Courts

Equestrian Camp Sites 66-96

Horse Trails

Discovery Room & Auditorium

Lake Dunn

Lake Austell e xPlore the B eauty & h iStory of a rkanSaS!

Village Creek State Park