Nothing to Do?

Texarkana has plenty to offer if you just make an effort

If you were inclined to take a trip over to Spring Lake Park, you would see a very nice oasis for all sorts of family fun.

There is a lot of playground equipment, for example. There is disc golf and plenty of room to walk or run. There are baseball and soccer fields. A splash pad is there to help beat the summer heat.

Plenty of spaces are available for cooking out or having a picnic. You can fish in the lake or just watch the ducks and geese. There’s even a dog park so your furry friends can have a day out as well.

Go on the Arkansas side to Bobby Ferguson Park and you’ll see much of the same. There are other parks around the two cities as well.

Go a bit outside of town and you’ll find all sorts of recreational activities at Wright Patman Lake, Millwood and on the Little River. Camping, fishing, boating and swimming are all available.

You know, on social media we often see folks ranging from young parents to more seasoned citizens complaining about kids today spending all their time on their phones or computers, texting with friends or playing games. The posts usually include memories of childhood days spent out playing, riding bikes, climbing trees and the like.

But then we see some of the same folks complaining there is “nothing to do” in Texarkana and wondering why the cities or some organization doesn’t supply more to keep families entertained.

There is plenty to do if you look. And there is plenty to get your children away from the smartphones and out in the sunshine. The Twin Cities and surrounding areas have a lot to offer—but only if you are willing to make the effort.

One more thing: We have a lot of volunteer opportunties as well. That might be the most important thing to teach your kids that life offline as more to offer than time spent in cyberspace.