Rogers' Lake Committee Reviews Public Comments

ROGERS — A trout pond at Lake Atalanta is an unlikely addition, Lake Atalanta Committee members said during a meeting Friday.

The trout pond — which appears on plans displayed at public meetings held last week — raised questions among some residents attending those meetings.

The pond was an idea that was blown out of proportion, said David Hook, city facilities management director and a committee member.

At A Glance

What’s Next

• The Lake Atalanta Committee will meet Jan. 3.

• A third public meeting for individuals concerned with renovation of Lake Atalanta is scheduled for 5 p.m. Jan. 14 at City Hall, 301 W. Chestnut St., before the City Council meeting.

Source: Staff Report

“At one time we discussed pumping spring water up the hill to create more water flow, stocking the stream with trout and allowing fly fishing only,” Hook said. “As we looked into the idea, we ruled it out.”

Trails, amenities, the skate park, security issues and vehicular circulation around the park also were discussed Friday.

Closing the road around the lake is a hot topic with residents, committee members said.

“We’ve heard it from both sides,” Hook said. “Some want to close the road and some want the road to stay open. There is no consensus; it’s split about 50/50.”

Committee members agreed to hold a public hearing in the spring on the road issue.

“Both sides have some good points,” said Barney Hayes, park director. “That’s why I think a public meeting focusing on the road will help us make a decision to recommend to the city.”

Another topic which garnered interest from young people at the public meetings is a skate park, said Andrea Brinton, assistant parks director.

“The young people really take the skate park seriously,” she said.

Plans call for a skate park to be on the Philpot property which connects to the south end of Lake Atalanta Park. The Philpot property is east of the intersection of Arkansas and Cherry streets.

The estimated cost of a skate park is $500,000, said Steve Glass, city director of planning and transportation.

A group of residents interested in protecting the environment and ecosystem of the Lake Atalanta Park appear to have made an impression during the public meeting.

“We have two firms working with us to ensure nature is protected while still allowing the park to serve multiple purposes,” said Lance Jobe, city engineer.

“The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and FTN Associates LTD are helping us design trails for the park,” Jobe said.

The commission works to preserve nature and keep the biology of an area intact. FTN officials work with water issues, engineering, environmental compliance and natural resource management, Jobe said.

Hook said some trails planned for the bike park on the Philpot property had to be moved to protect the environment.

What projects will be included in the first phase of the renovation project hasn't yet been determined.

“We can’t do everything at once,” said Dell Tyson, a committee member. “It’s like a house. You have to start with the foundation before you put on the roof. Some of the things we are considering for the park may be in phase II or phase III. We don’t know yet how everything is going to fall into place.”

Another public meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Jan. 14 at City Hall, Hayes said.

“After that meeting we should have a better idea of what we should do first,” he said

The public input period has also been extended to Jan. 21, Hayes said. Interested individuals can also contact the city parks or planning departments to add comments or make suggestions.

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