Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Info Center Opens Friday at White Oak

Arkansas State Parks will host the grand opening of the new visitor information center at White Oak Lake Park on Friday, October 27, at 1:00 p.m. The park is located two miles southwest of Bluff City on State Highway 387. The public is invited to attend.

Participants in the ribboncutting ceremony will include State Representative John Dawson of Camden; former Representative Grady Arrington of Stephens; Ed Falwell of Camden, a member of the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission; Richard W. Davies, executive director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism; Don turman of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; Louis Walker of International Paper; Marsha Daniels of the South Central Service Cooperative; Townsend Mosley of the Ouachita Historical Society; and other state and local officials.

Refreshments will be provided by the White Oak Lake Friends group. The presentation of colors will be conducted by students of the Chidester Elementary School.

The 1,800-square-foot visitor information center includes a gift shop; store; rest rooms; park offices; exhibits interpreting the natural resources of White Oak Lake, Arkansas's Gulf Coastal Plain region and the Battle of Poison Spring; and Arkansas State Parks' first interactive CD program for use by park visitors.

Other park improvements include a new barrier-free fishing pier and an enclosed, barrier-free pavilion.

According to Arkansas State Parks Director Greg Butts, "The grand opening celebrates new improvements at White Oak State Park that are the result of partnerships and support from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and International Paper.

"This spirit of partnership has resulted in the improvement of park facilities and the enhancement of experiences available for visitors at White Oak Lake State park," he said. "This is certainly reason to celebrate."

White Oak Lake State Park is one of the 48 state parks operated by the State Park Division, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.

The park is situated in Ouachita and Nevada Counties on the shore of 2,765-acre White Oak Lake. Other facilities and activities at the 666-acre park include 42 campsites, a marina and boat rentals, picnic sites, a launch ramp, playground, beach and swimming area and hiking trails.

For further information contact Joan Morris, public information officer, Arkansas State Parks, One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, or you may phone (501) 682-2873; or contact Ron Salley, park superintendent, White Oak Lake State Park, Route 2, Box 28, Bluff City, AR 71722, or phone (501) 658-2748.