Rogers Lake Committee Gets First Look At Lake Atalanta Plans

ROGERS -- Lake Atalanta committee members said Friday they were impressed with design of the park around the lake.

"I think it's wonderful what they had done," said Dell Tyson, committee member.

Tyson has traveled to some of the places Ecological Design Group has designed for other cities.

"I've seen their work, and it's beautiful. I trust these guys. The park is going to wonderful place for families," Tyson added.

Aldermen approved in July a $535,000 contract with Ecological Design Group for the design of amenities at the lake. Ecological Design Group has a reputation for developing projects using nature as part of the design, said Steve Glass, city planning and transportation director.

Friday's meeting was the first time committee members saw the design. The plan is a work in progress, said Martin Smith with Ecological Design Group.

"We want to get your input on what we have done. We will try to incorporate some of your suggests into the final plan, which we plan to have ready for you to review in about two weeks," Smith said.

Smith said he wanted to begin architectural drawings as soon as the committee and the council approve the plan and seek construction bids in January.

"We would like to start construction in March," Smith added.

Using a PowerPoint program, Smith talked about every aspect of the plan, which includes a grassy area at the south end of the lake with an amphitheater for small entertainment events and an information kiosk with maps of the various trails and information about the lake and the park.

A 10-foot-wide concrete bike and walking trail that circles the lake will include a boardwalk on the east side. Observation points will be found and developed along the trail. A serenity garden will occupy a space on the west side of the park. The creek that runs from the Diamond and Frisco springs will be changed to include a splash park for children and an island will be created near the south end of the lake, Smith said.

Other amenities include an education center in a grove of walnut grove trees, a day camp area and parking for about 125 vehicles. The pavilion on Walnut Street will be upgraded and parking will be added to the site.

"We plan to use native trees and other plants through the park to keep with the natural look and feel of the lake area," Smith said.

As Smith flipped through the slides, committee member Strad Will asked about the roundabout near the parking lot.

"I think the roundabout will create a bottleneck where it's at. I think it should be moved farther down the road," Will said.

The design group would look at moving the roundabout, Smith said.

"Maybe we can move it, but for traffic flow we are going to have to have a roundabout somewhere," Smith said.

Will also wanted to know if there was some way to acknowledge the Civilian Conservation Corps that built the lake.

Smith said he would see what could be done.

"Lake Atalanta is a beautiful place, and it will have its own identity," Smith said.

Will said he was generally in favor of the design but added he still had some questions.