LITTLE ROCK — Although it has been an state park for 31 years, relatively few northwest Arkansans really knew much about Hobbs State Park - Conservation Area until the park’s visitor center opened a year ago, courtesy of the 1/8 cent conservation tax passed by the voters in 1996. The park is located on Highway 12 east of Rogers.

Since the advent of the center, the 17,500 sq. ft.

facility has quickly become known as a source of enriching educational opportunities and pride for every Arkansan who visits.

Over 35,000 local and international visitors have strolled through the doors with 63% of those visitors coming from Arkansas.

Teachers, principals, school superintendents and parents alike have discovered that the center’s exceptional displays are an important learning experience for their students and children. Touch screen computers provide detailed information about local plants, animals and geology (in Spanish as well as in English). Taxidermy abounds in the center, adding amazing realism to the learning experience.

You can even see a giant tree cookie taken from what was the largest living red oak in Benton County.

The Hobbs interpreters, docents and volunteers have been very busy this first year giving quality school and frameworkdriven programs at the center as well as at individual schools. For the first 12months of operation of the Hobbs visitor center, 1,543 in-park and out-of-park programs were presented to 40,573 individuals. The majority of the programs were school programs.

“The first year with the visitor center has been amazing, but it’s just the beginning. This newly-discovered gem has become an important focal point of the park where visitors can learn about our 35-mile trail system and other park facilities, as well as our meaningful programming, said Steve Chyrchel, Hobbs interpreter.

The Hobbs State Park - Conservation Area visitor center is only closed two days the entire year - Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

News, Pages 12 on 06/23/2010