Several fallen trees at the Lake Atalanta Park raised suspicions of vandalism, but officials say the damage was likely caused by beavers.
Approximately five trees were damaged in the south region of the park, near the pavilions where the site of the grand opening took place a month ago. Only stumps of the trees are left, which made it look like the top was chopped down. Rogers Parks and Recreation Department is checking the area for more evidence of similar damage.
“We heard things, rumors of vandalism,” said Jim White, Rogers Parks and Recreation director. “But those reports are unsubstantiated.”
White said the department called in Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to assess the damage alongside Rick Hightower, trails coordinator. Brian McKinzie, a Game and Fish captain out of Eureka Springs, is the local authority and told White he was confident the tree damage was beaver activity.
White said Rogers Parks and Recreation is working on a solution with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Trapping and relocating the beavers and surrounding the base of trees with wire and mesh are possible solutions, but nothing has been decided yet.