Village Creek State Park (Arkansas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Village Creek State Park |
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Lake Dunn, 2010
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 Village Creek State Park
Location in Arkansas
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| Location | Wynne, Cross County, St. Francis, Crowley's Ridge, Arkansas, United States |
| Area | 6,909 acres (27.96 km2) |
| Established | June 27, 1976 |
| Named for | Village Creek |
| Governing body | Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism |
| Website | Village Creek State Park |
Village Creek State Park is a large state park in Arkansas, covering about 6,909 acres. It is located in Cross and St. Francis counties. This park was created after a special study by the Arkansas government to build a big park in eastern Arkansas. Important historical paths, like the Old Military Road and parts of the Trail of Tears, go through the park. It also has two lakes and a 27-hole golf course.
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Park History: How Village Creek State Park Began
In 1967, the Arkansas government decided to study the idea of creating a large park in eastern Arkansas. This area was special not just for its nature, but also for its history. It included parts of the Old Military Road, which was later used as the Trail of Tears. Also, parts of a plantation from the 1800s owned by William Strong were here.
The land for the park was bought starting in 1972. Village Creek State Park officially opened on June 27, 1976. There was a big ceremony with important people like David Pryor, who was the governor, and famous singer Charlie Rich.
Fun Things to Do at Village Creek State Park
Village Creek State Park offers many activities for visitors. You can enjoy the outdoors and learn about the area's history.
Boating and Fishing: Explore the Lakes
The park has two beautiful lakes, Lake Austell and Lake Dunn. Both lakes are great for boating and fishing. If you like fishing, you might catch bass, bream, catfish, and crappie. You can rent boats during the summer months, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Camping and Cabins: Stay Overnight
If you want to stay longer, the park offers different places to sleep. There are 10 modern cabins with one to three bedrooms. You can also choose from 96 campsites for tents or RVs. Campers have access to clean bathhouses, a swimming beach, a boat dock, and a playground.
Visitor Center and Golf: More Activities
The park's visitor center has cool displays about the nature, history, and animals of Crowley's Ridge. You can also learn about the four Native American tribes who were forced to travel the Trail of Tears. The visitor center also has an auditorium, a small grocery store, and a gift shop.
For golf lovers, there's a 27-hole golf course called "The Ridges at Village Creek." You can access it from the pro shop.
Hiking Trails: Discover Nature
The park has seven different trails for hiking and walking. Some popular ones include the Big Ben Nature Trail and the Austell Hiking Trail. You can also walk on the Military Road Trail, which is part of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. This trail is recognized by the United States Congress.
Nearby Parks: Explore Crowley's Ridge
Village Creek State Park is located on a unique landform called Crowley's Ridge. There are four other state parks nearby on Crowley's Ridge that you can visit:
