ROGERS — The Regional Sports Park and Rogers Aquatic Center at Dock Wheeler Park are open. That means officials can turn their attention to one of the city’s oldest parks, Lake Atalanta.
A generation ago, Lake Atalanta was the center of recreation and family fun. It boasted a swimming pool, restaurant, skating rink, miniature golf, fishing, picnic areas and ample green space. Lake Atalanta was where residents congregated in the summer from the late 1940s through the 1960s, according to longtime residents.
At A Glance
Lake Atalanta Project
Rogers officials are developing a plan to renovate Lake Atalanta east of downtown on Walnut Street. Some portions of the project could begin in 2014. Possible improvements include:
• Bike and hiking trails
• Dredging to return the lake to its original depth
• More picnic tables, some with roofs
• A small pavilion
• A small amphitheater
• New boat house with canoe and kayak rentals
Source: Staff Report
Lake Atalanta lost some of its drawing power as the city grew westward. The restaurant and skating rink closed, and the park was no longer the center of recreation for the city. The property was maintained by the Parks Department, but little else was done.
“Many of us who have lived here a long time have very fond memories of Lake Atalanta. It was the place to go for older people, families and youngsters,” said SK Clark-Will, a Rogers native whose parents were instrumental in development of Lake Atalanta.
The extension of a 1 percent sales tax in 2011 committed about $27 million for park improvement in the $135.4 million bond election. About $22 million was used to build the sports park, aquatic center and purchase park land, leaving about $5 million to renovate Lake Atalanta.
“I’m very interested in the renovation of Lake Atalanta, and I’m glad to hear city officials are designing and planning the renovation,” Clark-Will said.
David Hook, city facilities management director, designed a plan for Lake Atalanta that includes two additional recently purchased properties that connect with the lake park.
“We want to keep the property as natural as possible,” Hook said. “We plan to create several bike and walking trails on the recently purchased properties that connect with the original park. We also have plans for the stream that runs through the park, more picnic areas, a small pavilion, maybe a small amphitheater, a bike park and a dog park.”
Other plans include redirecting the stream that runs into the lake. Officials are considering making the stream meander more and building small, shallow ponds along the stream bed where children can safely play in the water, Hook said.
Greg Hines, mayor and a lifelong resident of Rogers, is aware many residents are interested in the lake project.
“There is a lot of history at Lake Atalanta, and a lot of people are concerned about what the city plans to do with the property,” Hines said.
“The project is in the conceptual phase,” Hines said. “As the plans develop, we will hold public meetings giving residents the opportunity to give us some input on what they like and dislike about the plans.”
Dell Tyson, who lives near Lake Atalanta, is very interested in what the city plans to do at the lake.
“The city has spent a great deal of money on developing parks for the younger set, and I don’t have a problem with that, but I do want to see Lake Atalanta renovated, not just for older people, but for families and youth as well. I want the lake to be a drawing point for the city again,” Tyson said.
Tyson has three major concerns in regard to the renovation project.
“First of all, I don’t want the city to close the road around the lake. Older people can’t walk around the lake, but they can drive, so I want to keep the road open,” Tyson said.
She said she also wants to see adequate parking available and wants the park to remain a place of nature, not buildings.
“We need to make sure people don’t have to park on the grass. I want the park to be grassy and serene. A place where people can relax and enjoy nature,” Tyson said.
Clark-Will added she wants to see the park used for educational purposes, to give children the chance to learn about nature.
“I suspect that Indians used the stream for many years before the white man came to Arkansas. I found several arrowheads along the stream as a child. We need to use the park to teach our heritage and about nature,” Clark-Will said.
“I want the city to honor our memories of the park, but I also want the park refurbished so children and families can create new memories for the next generation,” Clark-Will said.