Park’s Past, Present
Should concessions return to Spring Lake Park?
Many who grew up in Texarkana have fond memories of Spring Lake Park. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, there was a zoo. A small zoo, to be sure, but a feature that attracted a lot of visitors.
There was miniature golf. You could get a snow cone. There was a pint-sized train that kids enjoyed riding. And the swimming pool was a destination on hot summer days. A lot of young folks learned to swim at that pool.
Dot’s Roller Rink attracted not only the wee ones but teens and even adults. It was a popular place for dates. The skating rink became the commercial building each year when the Four States Fair and Rodeo came around. There is no telling how many people passed through those gates over the years at fair time.
And of course, there was the spring itself, where many families came to fill jugs with fresh, clean water.
Older residents can remember when the park had a dance pavilion and even a horse track.
Spring Lake Park has been a feature in Texarkana since 1887 and is still a draw for local and area residents. And there are still things to do there. Families come out to see the ducks and geese. There is a playground and picnic areas. Plenty of sports fields. The Splash Pad offers a way for kids to cool off when the temperatures rise. Summer brings movies and events such as the Wine Festival pack them in.
We miss the old days and wonder just what could return. In today’s more sensitive climate, a zoo is almost certainly out of the question. A swimming pool, aside from costs, presents liability issues that weren’t such a concern in days gone by.
But could concessions return? Would that be viable? Allowing local entrepreneurs to offers goods and service such as food, drink, games and rides at the park would be a nice addition and harken back to the old days.
Maybe we are just being nostalgic. But we are sure there are plenty of others who feel the same nostalgia.
Spring Lake Park is still a lovely place. But we do miss the park that used to be.