A day in the life
College town offers activities to appeal to all interests
14 ................................................... COLLEGE TOWN OFFERS ACTIVITIES TO APPEAL TO ALL INTERESTS
As the City of Colleges, Conway attracts a diverse range of individuals who flock to the city not only for its educational opportunities but also for its convenient amenities and neighborly atmosphere. From arts and outdoors activities to shopping and history, I found a number of ways to fill my day in Conway.
8:50 A.M.
With an eye for community health and environmental sustainability, Conway recently launched a bike-share program that allows participants to borrow bicycles for a small fee using a smartphone app. I downloaded the app, Zagster, the night before my visit and found that it was easy to use and provided clear instructions about the program.
I began my ride at the bike-sharing station on Tyler Street, at the north end of the Tucker Creek Trail, and followed the trail south along Tucker Creek. The cool morning air swept my face while I enjoyed a serene ride through the city, punctuated by the occasional walker or jogger.
Just past Salem Road, I encountered another bike-sharing station, as well as a hopscotch area and some interactive art that encourages parents and children to try to make each other laugh — two examples of the art installations along Tucker Creek Trail. After riding a little farther, I headed back to the trailhead, confident that I had met my recommended amount of cardio exercise for the day.
10:05 A.M.
When the summer sun beats down on Conway, locals head to Beaverfork Lake, a 960-acre lake located near ball fields, a playground and picnic areas at Beaverfork Lake Park. The blue waters invite visitors to escape fast-paced city life by lingering among the tranquil pines on the shore, and I felt at ease as I gazed across the lake.
The area is not reserved for quiet reflection, however, and the roar of an engine cut through the air when a boater took a joyride around the lake. At the sandbar, I met a woman who was preparing for a swim with her two great-granddaughters, both dressed in adorable Wonder Woman swimsuits.
Just across the lake is a fishing pier where I spotted the Springfield-Des Arc Bridge, waiting to be installed at its new home. Thought to be Arkansas’ oldest bridge, the structure will connect the pier and swimming area.
As I was leaving, two men arrived at the pier and prepared to fish. Much like the geese I saw at the swimming area, it seems that all manner of people flock to Beaverfork Lake to swim, fish, boat and enjoy the green space.
11 A.M.
No trip to Conway would be complete without a visit to one of my favorite shopping spots, Pickles Gap Village. Located along U.S. 65, the village consists of a collection of cute buildings complete with Kiddie Land, where young visitors can feed pygmy goats and ride carousels.
After greeting the goats, I sampled a few flavors of fudge at the Pickle Barrel Fudge Factory, where I met Janis Mack Davidson, owner of Pickles Gap Village. Davidson made several of the items at the shop herself, including cookbooks, dip mixes and Toad Suck Daze T-shirts.
“Nowhere in the world will you find all of the Toad Suck things that I have created,” she said, pointing out a few novelly named sweets. “We have a little bit of toad poop, toad warts, moonshine jelly — a lot of things with the toad label on it.”
The village opened in the 1970s, she said, and she bought the space in 1985. She built a log cabin and opened her real estate office at the village. Then, in the ’90s, she opened the fudge factory.
“This has been the winner,” she said. “Everybody loves the fudge shop.”
Various businesses lease the buildings at the village, so after finishing my fudge, I went to the flea market, where I found an interesting assortment of items such as cigar-box guitars, military surplus goods, leatherwork and local art.
Then I popped into RK Printing to chat with shop owner Robert Krzeszinski, who has been in business at the village for 13 years. He said the highway traffic brings a bounty of customers to his shop, where he custom-prints T-shirts and other items.
Since one cannot live on fudge alone and the village restaurant happened to be closed, I headed into town for lunch. My first choice — Umami Sushi Lounge & Grill Fusion — was also closed that day, so I drove downtown to Bob’s Grill, a friendly spot serving comfort foods that would be at home in any Southern kitchen.
1:15 P.M.
Several friends from Conway have told me about the city’s growing art scene, so I headed to Art on the Green. The gallery offers diverse works by noteworthy artists such as Sheila Parsons, a signature member of the Mid-Southern Watercolorists, and Tim Jacob, who developed an acrylic style called puddle painting.
Sara Hoopchuk, digital archives coordinator, chatted with me about the artwork, which runs the gamut from animals in unexpected colors and contemporary mixed media to photographs and paintings that capture natural and architectural treasures in Arkansas and beyond.
Those interested in honing their brush skills can enroll in a number of classes at the gallery, which is one of many ways to enjoy the arts in Conway.
“There’s a big burgeoning art scene here. I’ve lived here my entire life, and we have a gallery here now, and there’s so many options for taking classes and learning about the arts,” Hoopchuk said. “We have a good music scene, and even in the school districts, you’re able to get a better grasp of art, drama and band.”
Conway boasts a number of smaller galleries as well, such as Moore Art Supplies & More, which opened last year. In addition to art supplies, the shop offers a gallery space and a studio for classes.
“It’s kind of an all-inclusive resource for the artist,” said MiChelle Moore, who runs the shop with her daughter, Emily. “We work with a lot of local artists, many who have never shown work before.”
During my visit, they were setting up an exhibit of artwork Emily created from age 3 to her senior year of high school. The purpose of the exhibit is to show young artists the progress that comes from time and practice and demonstrate to their role models the importance of encouraging young artists, MiChelle said.