Mayor Billy Yandell and trustees Earl Armstrong and Bill Bentley announced Friday that the proposed project would include a boat launch ramp with trailer and boat parking, family picnic areas, fishing docks and a nature trail along the Arkansas River.
Yandell said a plan was submitted to the Oklahoma Tourism office for tentative approval. He said the town is working in conjunction with the National Park Service and Land Legacy, a non-profit conservation group in Tulsa. He said the Land Legacy group is helping the town organize the project. He said the group's specialty is going into natural areas and converting them into useful family zones while maintaining the natural scenery.
Yandell said a sandy beach and enclave for a swimming area is already present, but will be cleaned up as part of the project. He said the project would hopefully be done in two phases. The second phase would include the construction of a bridge over a rock jetty and a picnic pavilion.
He said it's hoped Moffett can match the work done in recent years on the Arkansas side of the river in Fort Smith. He said that work was also done through the National Park Service.
Yandell said that he has high expectations for the project, and believes the park is a needed family area. He said the park would also be a safe place for sportsmen to access the river.
"The river offers some beautiful scenery and this park will provide a wonderful setting for the entire family, and serve a great purpose for the entire county," Yandell said.
Yandell said having the park will also open up many avenues for joint ventures to take place, such as during July 4 celebrations and other festivities during the year on the Arkansas side of the river. He noted that having the park would provide easier and safer access to the river by boaters. Yandell said the park might also eliminate a problem with parking during holidays and special activities.
"This is a big project," Yandell said. "We're excited. We're very excited."
Yandell said strict guidelines will be enforced to insure that no one has to be concerned about the safety of their family. Moffett Police officers will monitor the parking areas on a regular basis to keep theft out, and officers on foot and bike will patrol the area to insure there is no illegal activity, Yandell said.
Yandell said there have been problems with transients in that area by the river in the past, but he said those problems have now been eliminated.
Yandell stressed that the park won't only be a benefit to the town, but to the entire county.
"We're the first thing you see when you enter into Oklahoma from Arkansas," Yandell said. "Why wouldn't we have on our very best face?"
Yandell said the park would be a boost economically by drawing visitors, but he said there are no plans for any fees to use the park. Yandell said the park could bring other developments in the future, including the possibility of a marina, or recreation rentals, such as jet skis.
He said he is unsure of how many acres the park would encompass. He said the land is owned by the U.S. Corps of Engineers and Park Service. He said they are looking at federal grants to fund the project once it's approved and in-kind land acquisition. Yandell said the town has meetings planned in the future with those agencies to see how land acquisition might work. He said the cost of the project is estimated to be about $350,000, but those figures could change.
Yandell said once the park project is approved, they will start the planning stages for year-round activities. He said the town also hopes to work with local schools, church groups and area police and fire departments to offer educational activities.
"Anything we can get people involved in, that's what we intend to do," Yandell said.
He said they also hope to stress boating and river safety through U.S. Coast Guard education classes and hands-on exhibits in the park.
Yandell said he and the trustees would like to hear the public's thoughts and ideas on the park and any suggestions they have for making the park a successful project.
"We're very excited and hope that the plans will get off the drawing board and into the river sand very soon so please send your letters of support," Yandell said.
Yandell said those suggestions can be sent to the town of Moffett at Box 87, Moffett, Okla. 74946.
