We live in a state where outdoor recreation continues to grow in popularity and importance. Recreational attributes help us attract and retain talented people in Arkansas. That means that protecting and enhancing those attributes is key to future economic development.
The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism (ADPHT) held an event today at Lake Sylvia Recreation Area to officially mark the beginning of operating and managing the area as a unit of Pinnacle Mountain State Park. ADPHT has signed a historic property lease with the United States Forest Service (USFS) to do so. The USFS will continue to partner with ADPHT and Arkansas State Parks (ASP) in the environmental management of the area.
This plan was made public last month when Gov. Asa Hutchinson included it as part of the announcement that a new Office of Outdoor Recreation would be housed within the Secretary’s Office of ADPHT. At that time, Gov. Hutchinson emphasized the push to expand recreational opportunities in Arkansas that contribute to the state’s tourism value.