TEXARKANA, Ark. -- Miller County's Alex Smith Park recently received nearly $80,000 from the state to make improvements at the 60-year old park popular with camping enthusiasts.
The Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation awarded the county $78,336 for upgrades on an 80-acre southern portion of the park, Miller County Judge Cathy Harrison said.
Among the improvements include installation of a third pavilion and the purchase of picnic tables and playground equipment.
Other planned improvements include the renovation of a 1920s-era log house into a welcoming center and a venue for weddings and family reunions.
Smith Park is about 12 miles south of Texarkana on state Highway 237. It features are an 8-foot-deep stocked fishing pond, basketball court and archery and shooting ranges.
The park, which has 14 natural springs, has received tens of thousands of dollars in grants from the state over the past few years for improvements to the 320-acre site.
Some of the more notable improvements include the placement of identification tags on trees and the construction of four walking and hiking trails that cover about 2 miles.