Work expected to begin soon at the Flint Creek nature area

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

— The council heard on Monday from Bev Saunders, executive director of the Gentry Chamber of Commerce, that all was moving forward for the city to receive grant money and soon begin work at the nature area along Flint Creek.

“We’re just waiting for the final paperwork to go ahead and put the project out for bid,” Saunders said.

Grant money, an $80,340 grant awarded to the city by the Arkansas Department of Rural Services through its Wildlife Recreation Facilities Grant program, will be used to begin work to convert city-owned property along Flint Creek into a natural recreation area with walking trails and fishing ponds.

Official word was received in March that the nature area project had been approved and the city would be receiving the 100-percent grant to prepare the cityowned property for public use as a recreational and nature observation area.

Items to be paid for out of grant funding to repair and clean out the existing ponds to make them suitable for fish habitat and fishing include: pond bank area repair, pond cleaning, silt removal and hauling, clay for pond lining, labor to replace and pack clay, water control box, fish habitat, liner, concrete, labor, engineering and design fees.

In addition to the grant funding, American Electric Power/Southwestern Electric Power Company has offered to provide labor and materials to help build parking and access trails to the ponds. The estimated value of these items is $4,845.

Illinois River Watershed Partnership has offered to supply and plant native tree species on the property to enhance development of the area into an outdoor nature and learning center. Local 4-H clubs have alsooffered to assist with the development and maintenance of the area.

Should there be leftover money from the grant, the city has requested permission to use surplus funding for three-rail fencing along the side of the area adjoining Dawnhill East Road, a concrete parking slab to make the area handicap accessible and a grant writing fee.

News, Pages 12 on 09/12/2012