Council approves moving forward with grant application for Willow Lake parking and fishing dock

The City Council voted to allow staff to proceed with a grant application and project planning for improvements at Willow Lake, including a parking lot and an ADA-accessible fishing dock. The project was presented as eligible for a 50/50 Arkansas Parks and Tourism grant (to be submitted via the regional planning/development partner and engineering firm).

Estimated project costs were presented during the discussion; the presenter cited engineering involvement from Bond Engineering and an application process to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The council scheduled a public hearing on Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. to consider the project in more detail.

Resident Michael Young, who identified himself as a Lakeside Drive property owner, spoke at length in public comment. Young thanked council for considering access but raised concerns about shoreline maintenance, trash and safety, and asked the city to maintain the shoreline more consistently: “we have to beg to get it mowed … if you open it up … you're going to have a lot more traffic in there,” he said. He also urged allowance of nonmotorized use (kayaks or pedal boats) if safety resources and rules are established.

Council acknowledged both the benefits (recreation, ADA access, potential fish stocking by Game and Fish) and the neighborhood concerns about trash and privacy. The council approved staff continuing the grant application and project development; the item will return for public hearing and further council action if the grant proceeds.