Budget Problems Close Several Parks

The Army Engineers` district office says it will close down several Arkansas parks it operates, close all but the boat-loading ramps in still more and cut back the hours at another 45 locations. Budget restrictions are blamed for the decision. Colonel Ben Butler, the district engineer at Little Rock, says the corps will concentrate on keeping parks most important to users open. The agency says it considered security, safety and social and economic impacts on local communities in addition to park usage. The corps is working to reach agreements so local governments can take over operation and maintenance at as many parks as possible, as is already done with about two dozen parks. ----- Parks to be totally closed, the corps said, will be Trulock Park and Huff`s Island on the Arkansas River downstream from Pine Bluff, though access and bank fishing will still be allowed at Hugg`s Island; Point Remove, Sequoya, Flat Rock and Vache Grasse parks on the Arkansas River upstream of Little Rock; Ozark Isle on Bull Shoals Lake. Parks to be closed except for the boat ramps, according to the announcement, are Sheppard Island downstream from Pine Bluff; Cabin Creek, O`Kane, Horsehead, Bluff Hole, Vine Prairie and White Oak upstream from Little Rock; Hise Hill, Lick Creek and Ashley Creek on Blue Mountain Lake; plus Georges Cove and Woods Point on Lake Norfork. Posted by Mike Hellgren