Hobbs State Park seeks volunteers
Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area with 12,056 acres of wooded land is the largest of all of the 52 Arkansas State Parks. In the course of a year, more than 43,000 visitors use the 35 miles of trail that meander throughout the park.
Twenty-four of those miles are multi-use, meaning that patrons can ride their horse, non-motorized bike or hike. The remaining miles of trail are for hiking only.
Visitor use and erosion due to weather relentlessly take their toll on the trails. Al Knox, trail maintenance supervisor at the park, is a maintenance crew of one; therefore, the efforts of volunteers are an indispensable means of making sure the Hobbs trails are properly maintained.
Typical tasks for volunteers include repair of drainage structures, pruning, vegetation removal and trail tread maintenance. No prior experience is necessary, and you can learn new skills.
People who like to hike, bike or ride and enjoy well-maintained trails, should call Knox and become a trail maintenance volunteer at Hobbs State Park.
The volunteers meet at 8 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month. Volunteers should bring sturdy boots, gloves, appropriate clothing, water and snacks.
The volunteers will gather at the Hobbs State Park Maintenance Complex on War Eagle Road at the Arkansas 12/War Eagle Road intersection.
Volunteers are asked to contact Knox at 479-530-2458 so he can properly plan activities.
Carts on path schedule set
Golf carts are required to stay on paths at various times on each of Bella Vista Village's 18-hole golf courses.
There will be no overseeding on the Bella Vista golf courses, according to a new release from the Property Owners Association. Therefore, keeping traffic off the non-overseeded fairways will greatly increase the chances of quicker recovery each spring.
The schedule for carts on path is:
• Now-Feb. 8: Berksdale and Scotsdale golf courses
• Feb. 9-22: Highlands and Bella Vista Country Club golf courses
• Feb. 23-March 8: Dogwood Hills and Kingswood golf courses
• March 9-22: Berksdale and Scotsdale golf courses
• March 23-April 5: Highlands and Bella Vista Country Club golf courses
• April 6-12: Dogwood Hills and Kingswood golf courses
• April 13-19: Berksdale and Scotsdale golf courses
• April 20-26: Highlands and Bella Vista Country Club golf courses
Winter hours at ranges
The Property Owners Association began the new winter hours for checking out and returning keys for Bella Vista Village's Pistol and Rifle Range, according to a news release from the Property Owners Association.
The keys are available at the Branchwood Recreation Center and are issued during the center's hours of operation. The Rifle and Pistol Range is open daily during daylight hours.
During the facility's hours, the key will be issued between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily and must be returned by 5 p.m.
Members are required to leave their POA-issued photo identification cards or paper membership cards at the center until they return with the key. Members must accompany guests wishing to use the Highlands Gun Range. Guests will not be issued a key.
The association's trap and skeet range will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The last rounds of trap and skeet shooting are required to commence 30 minutes prior to the range closing.
For more information about the gun range, call 479-855-5067.
Eagle cruises set this winter
Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area will be offering eagle watch cruises into February on Beaver Reservoir.
Cruise dates are as follows:
• February: Feb. 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 27, 28 and 29.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. Adults are $10 plus tax. Children 6-12 are $5 plus tax. Tours depart Rocky Branch Marina promptly at 3 p.m. For more information and to make reservations, call 479-789-5000.
Community on 02/03/2016