Ouachita NF leases recreation area, camp to Arkansas

ARKANSAS—The Ouachita National Forest officially turned over operations and management of Lake Sylvia Recreation Area and Camp Ouachita to the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism on July 23, 2021.

The historic property lease permitting the state to take over was signed on July 1.

“It a great testament to partnership between the federal government and the state government and the private sector and private sector philanthropy,” said Rep. French Hill (R-AR-2) during the event, which included Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Stacy Hurst, Director of Arkansas State Parks Grady Spann, and Ouachita National Forest Supervisor Troy Heithecker.

At the end of the event, Heithecker presented a ceremonial key for the recreation area to Hurst.

“The lease signing signifies the partnership between the United States Forest Service, Ouachita National Forest and Arkansas State Parks,” Heithecker said. “We are looking forward to bringing increased activities and opportunities to the local communities and the citizens of Arkansas and all those who come to Arkansas to visit and enjoy the great, wonderful, outdoor resources that the Forest Service and the state of Arkansas have to offer.”

The Lake Sylvia Recreation Area and Camp Ouachita has an 18-acre lake and is located 35 miles west of the Little Rock metropolitan area. The site has a great hall that can seat 120 guests, a commercial kitchen, a caretaker’s house and six restored cabins.

“We're super excited about the opportunity to work with the U.S. Forest Service on the Lake Sylvia Recreation Area part of Pinnacle Mountain State Park,” Spann said. “We hope this partnership is one that continues and grows throughout as we look for opportunities to provide recreational areas for the public to enjoy. So, today is a historic day for Arkansas, state parks and our partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.”

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