Shea Lewis Named Next Director of Arkansas State Parks
(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) – Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, today announced Shea Lewis as the next director for Arkansas State Parks. Lewis will replace Grady Spann, who retired on Dec. 31, 2021, after 28 years with Arkansas State Parks. Lewis began in the role on Jan. 3 at a […]
Kick-off 2022 with a Hike at an Arkansas State Park
(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) – In all 50 states, hikers in America’s State Parks will kick off the new year with healthy, fun, outdoor experiences as part of the annual First Day Hikes event. This year for First Day Hikes, Arkansas State Parks will offer guided hikes at many locations, as well as encourage self-guided walks […]
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park Artifact Public Meeting
Collection Management Facility Update at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park WHO: Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Stacy Hurst, Arkansas State Parks Deputy Director Shea Lewis, and Park Staff WHAT: Update on the work completed and planned next steps for the collection management facility, artifact care, and storage at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park WHERE: […]
Katherine Andrews to Head Newly Created Office of Outdoor Recreation
Ten Members Named to New Advisory Board (LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) – Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism (ADPHT) Secretary Stacy Hurst today announced the selection of Katherine Andrews to serve as the first director of the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation. In addition, Sec. Hurst announced the 10 members of the new Arkansas Outdoor Recreation […]
New Pinnacle Mountain State Park Visitor Center Public Information Session
(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) – Arkansas State Parks will host a public information session to introduce the design for the new visitor center at Pinnacle Mountain State Park on Oct. 19 at the West Summit Pavilion from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The open house will showcase the new building, landscape, and exhibit design. Construction is […]
Arkansas State Parks Director Grady Spann to Retire in December
(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) – Grady Spann, who started his career with Arkansas State Parks in 1993 as superintendent of Parkin Archeological State Park and rose to director of the Division of Arkansas State Parks in 2016, has announced his retirement, effective at the end of this year. “Grady has been a true leader of the […]
Visitor Finds 4.38-Carat Diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park
(MURFREESBORO, Ark.) — Noreen Wredberg of Granite Bay, Calif., found the 4.38-carat yellow diamond sitting on top of the ground within an hour of searching. It’s the largest diamond found so far this year at Crater of Diamonds State Park. Since retiring in 2011, Noreen and her husband Michael have spent much of their leisure […]
War Memorial Stadium to Offer Media Spaces for Oct. 23 Razorback Game
(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) War Memorial Stadium is offering six paid designated media spaces for the October 23, 2021, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville vs. University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff game. The paid spaces are intended to allow media to set up promotional tents, etc. the day of the game should they choose to do so. The […]
Ozark Folk Center State Park To Host Fall Music & Arts Festival
(MOUNTAIN VIEW, Ark.) – The Ozark Folk Center State Park’s Stringband Music & Arts Festival is on Oct. 15 and 16, 2021. The family-friendly festival will be a weekend-long celebration of lively stringband music and handcrafted arts featuring the Ozark’s finest artisans, music prodigies, and live performances by some of the best touring bands that […]
Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Officially Begins Operating Lake Sylvia Recreation Area
(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) – The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism (ADPHT) held an event today at Lake Sylvia Recreation Area to officially mark the beginning of operating and managing the area as a unit of Pinnacle Mountain State Park. ADPHT has signed a historic property lease with the United States Forest Service (USFS) to […]
