SPRINGDALE — A quiet backwater could soon become a showplace for the city.
Three projects are planned for Lake Springdale, once a water source but now part of the city’s park system. Plans call for the Razorback Greenway to run along the shore. A floating fishing pier is under contract for construction. The City Council is expected to consider at tonight’s meeting building a wildlife viewing area.
Grants for Springdale
Springdale is using grants to build a wildlife viewing area, a floating fishing pier and a section of the Razorback Greenway near Lake Springdale.
Source Amount
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission $100,000
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission $50,000
Federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery $10 million
Source: City Of Springdale
Mayor Doug Sprouse called the lake a hidden gem that will surprise many of the people that don’t now know where it is.
“People from inside and outside of the city will be able to enjoy the lake,” Sprouse said. “I think these projects will make it a destination.”
Howard King, a city resident, said he walked his dogs, Benjamin and Jet, every day near the lake.
“It’s quite peaceful most of the time,” King said, “but I have see as many as 20 families at one time here fishing.”
The fishing pier would be accessible for wheelchairs, according to plans. The Council approved a contract with Atlantic Meeco, a company from McAlester, Okla., for $159,508 to build a pier that will stretch across the lake. The city received an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission grant for $50,000 to build it, said Alan Pugh, director of the city engineering department.
“Game and Fish gave us a couple of names of companies that they had worked with that did this type of work,” Pugh said. “Meeco was much cheaper than the other one.”
The pier is expected to be delivered in six to eight weeks and assembled in a couple of days, Pugh said.
About 10 miles of the Greenway, a 36-mile trail that will stretch from Fayetteville to Lake Bella Vista, will run through Springdale. A trailhead is planned for Lake Springdale.
The wildlife viewing area, to be called Rabbits Foot Wildlife Observation Area, is planned for an area south and west of the lake. Access to the area will come from the trail leading from the lake to its parking area.
The land, about 3.5 acres, was donated by Karen Morton in three parcels. The observation area will include a trail that leads to a viewing platform. A section of the Greenway, including the connection to the viewing area, will be elevated on a boardwalk, according to plans.
The Game And Fish Commission also approved a $100,000 grant for the viewing area. The total cost of the Rabbits Foot project is $161,302. The Council vote will include waiving competitive bidding to award the contract to Boulder Construction.
Alderman Jim Reed said he was usually against waiving competitive bidding.
“This time, we are looking at a company that has expertise in special construction,” Reed said. “Also, they have access to stone that can be used on the job. Stone wasn’t even in the picture before they came in. I think we’ll end up with a better project.”
Boulder also worked on the trails for Crystal Bridges Museum and on elevated walkways at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Pugh said.
The grants and donations made the projects possible, Sprouse said. The council meets at 6 p.m. today.
“Our staff has worked hard to come up with these grants,” Sprouse said. “I think we’re getting a big bang for our buck.”