CAVE SPRINGS -- Illinois River Watershed Partnership officially opened its Illinois Watershed Sanctuary in Cave Springs on Saturday, with fishing, kayaking, hiking and other activities open to visitors from around the region.
Youth tried their luck at fishing in the recently refilled Partners Lake, which was stocked with catfish by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Others put on a life jacket and paddled a kayak around the lake. Some took aim at a target with a bow and arrow. And many took opportunity to walk the trails around the new sanctuary and see the cave entrance and the spring waters flowing from the cave's mouth and into the lake.
Fall colors and a sunny day provided a brilliant showing of fall foliage for visitors.
While guests signed in and visited a number of informational booths at the recreational area's entrance, artists who had participated in a workshop there, led by IRWP's artist in residence and award-winning plein air painter John P. Lasater IV, took advantage of the beautiful day to paint a portrait of the lake's beauty and tranquility.
Inside the IRWP Learning Center, children played in the model cave and art lovers viewed the upstairs exhibit of paintings of the sanctuary and wildlife there.
All in all, the day was a community event, with many volunteering their time, talents and equipment to give visitors a taste of the beauty, as well as the educational and recreational uses, offered by the new sanctuary which preserves a spring and plot of land rich in history for the city of Cave Springs. Photos and Story by Randy Moll
General News on 11/12/2014