The future of Lake Atalanta is marked with orange barrels and caution tape where a swimming pool and other amenities were once the center of outdoor entertainment.
Lake Atalanta is slated for a $5 million redevelopment into a venue for the 21st century, city officials said. The $5 million will come from the 2011 bonds approved by voters.
Mayor Greg Hines talked on Wednesday with downtown business owners some ideas under consideration for the lake.
“A lot of things have changed since we first discussed renovation of Lake Atalanta and its connection to downtown,” Hines said. “We initially earmarked $5 million for the project. Since then the city has purchased another 70 acres connecting to the lake, which has expanded our vision of the redevelopment. $5 million may only be phase I of what can be done at the lake and surrounding park.”
At A Glance
Lake Atalanta Redevelopment
No plan has been drawn for the redevelopment of Lake Atalanta, east of downtown on Walnut Street. The site was the gathering point for residents in the 1950s and 1960s with a pool, restaurant, skating rink, miniature golf, fishing and open areas. City officials want to make the lake the a focal point for downtown and the city with a $5 million project.
Source: Staff Report
Although no renovation plan has been drawn, Hines said keeping the park in a “natural” state and improving the connection between the lake and downtown are two goals.
“City officials agree we should not place new buildings on the south end of the park to block the view of the lake,” Hines said. “We want to have a playground and other amenities, such as an amphitheater, but not as the focal point of the lake and park.”
Keeping the park in a natural state is an idea Kim Hanson with Healthful Healing, 310 W. Chestnut St., said she can endorse.
“I like the idea of using nature’s beauty at the lake; we are the Natural State after all,” said Hanson, who lived in San Francisco. “Northwest Arkansas is a pretty area. It’s not all concrete, buildings and houses.”
Dereck Bartllett with McLeod Farmers Insurance, 303 N. Third St., said he thinks the basic ideas presented are good.
“The mayor was very informative. I think it sounds like the renovation will be good for the lake and downtown,” said the Little Rock native.
However, not all of the possible changes to Lake Atalanta were met with enthusiasm.
Hines said city officials are trying to determine if the road around the lake should be closed to traffic.
James Hales, a local historian, urged Hines to reconsider closing the road.
“I often drive people around the lake so they can see the beauty of the lake. Many of them wouldn’t be able to walk around the lake,” Hales said.
Hines said pedestrian safety is a major concern for closing the road.
“We’ve discussed having golf carts available to rent, for a very nominal fee, so people could drive around the lake,” Hines said. “We have to think big on this project. We have an opportunity to make the lake as popular as it once was, not just for today, but for years to come.”