Fouke community group invests in county
Citizens For A Better Community Inc. in Fouke intends to continue their investment in south Miller
County.
The next goal will be making Smith Park an attraction for tourism.
Engineer Caleb Mudford, a project manager for MTG Engineers, said the group intends to “continue to move forward.”
A major goal will be revitalizing Smith Park in south Miller County.
“Smith park is a diamond in the rough,” said Mudford.
The park can attract rural tourism with the appeal of peace and quiet, he said.
The value of Smith Park has also been praised by Bill Poynter, a member of the the South Miller County Rural Development Authority, who described Smith Park as a “pearl.”
“The park is a pearl and it’s time to re-polish the pearl,” said Poynter.
Ann Fowler, executive director for the citizens group, encouraged the members to work on Smith Park.
“We can do this. We have these wonderful natural resources, but our greatest resource are our people,” said Fowler.
The group cares about the community and uses the method of food to influence people to help achieve their goals. Shrimp gumbo, chili to grapes was the menu for a recent meeting.
Smith Park is about 15 miles south of Texarkana on Blackman Ferry Road, near Bright Star. It is bordered by the Sulphur Wildlife Management Area and near the western entry to Mercer Bayou.
The park was donated to Miller County in the 1960s.
Smith Park has 320 acres and is off Arkansas Highway 237 near the Sulphur River Wildlife Management Area.
Its amenities include the campsites, two playgrounds, the waterfowl observation walkway, boat ramp, basketball court, softball field, restrooms and picnic areas.
A road along the eastern edge of Smith Park Lake leads to yet another boat ramp on the Sulphur River.
The Citizens For A Better Community Inc. was formed in 2006 and incorporated in 2007 with the goal of making the community of Fouke a better place to live through “benevolent and enhancement projects.”
These projects, with the estimated costs totaling about $1,012,100, which includes donated work, in-kind donations, grants and contributions are:
1. Funding to schools at Christmas $30,000—Gifts for indigent children
2. Sick and elderly $8,000— Assistance for out-of-town travel for medical treatment. Also food baskets and meals for bereaved families.
3. City signage $30,000— Erected two welcome signs on Interstate 49.
4. Beautification $6,000— Partnered with the school system and planted more than 100 crepe myrtles. Placed containers of flowers around town.
5. Digital marquee $11,100— Contributed to the school system to help purchase the marquee.
6. Veterans memorial park $220,000—honored veterans with a memorial park
7. Murals $38,000— Commissioned the painting of two murals, one as a tribute to veterans and the other depicting local history
8. Education events center and the library $325,000— Purchased and renovated the historic Scoggins house for community use as a center for events and a library.
9. Community renewal $75,000—Purchased the Pace House located on two city blocks. Renovated the house for use as rental property. The land is used for a town Square Park.
10. Community renewal $78,000—Received and renovated a gift house with three acres of land from Wells Fargo bank which provides rental for a veteran or low-income family.
11. Endowment fund $100,000—Established fund with Arkansas Community Foundation.
12. Town square $91,000— Developed an area to include the following:
■ Historical marker and plaques
■ Recognizes the history of Beech Township
■ Garden of Crepe Myrtles— Enhances the appearance of the area.
■ Pavilion—Promotes cultural events including music and art, family and group gatherings and other public square events.
■ Walking trial promotes physical fitness with a walking trail.