Parks Executive Director Sam Dudley reported on Feb. 20 that cabins one through four at Lake Leatherwood have been renovated. He said that new signs are being made by Wicker Walker Design to be placed on US62.
Dudley also said that the building at Harmon Park is almost completely repaired, including a rebuilt porch and replaced rotten studs and siding. Stacy’s Stone Work has completed a new entry off Grand Ave. next to the Bark Park thanks to CAPC funding. Water hydrants have been installed in the dog parks.
A stairway has been installed and boxwoods removed at Basin Park. Commissioners discussed adding pots or benches in the area and by the end of next week changes will most likely be done. A prototype bench was placed in the park and Dee Bright from the Preservation Society wrote Parks a $10,000 check for more. Dudley said he hoped to have 12 more benches ready by Memorial Day, as well as a new staircase to the bandshell, which will be funded by the CAPC.
Dudley said that the valve on Lake Leatherwood Dam had been opened for the first time in nine years and was in working order. He said a bathometric survey was going to be done on the dam, as well.
Chair Mark Ingram brought the commission’s attention to new business, which was the setting of rates at Lake Leatherwood. All commissioners agreed that they wanted a range of prices for the cabins so prices can be raised or lowered based for inflation, holidays, and taking advantage of demand. This could also allow for a limiting of nights per reservation.
Commissioners agreed that this would be best for increasing profits and occupancy. Dudley noted that dynamic prices allow for flexibility and the improvements to the cabins should impact the prices. The Family House will have a range of $125 – $275, the cottages two through six will range from $75 – $200, cottage six $100 – $220, and $50 – $100 for the mini cabins.
RV campsites are $38.50, electric campsites, at $30, will be a little bit more than the “primitive” campsites at $18. Paddleboat and canoe rentals will be $20, and kayaks and paddleboards will be $15. All changes to pricing were passed unanimously. Towards the end of the meeting Ingram talked about the need for better advertisement of the cabins to ensure they are getting rented out.
Dudley then brought up a contract worker who has been doing gardening for Parks and asked that she be made a part-time employee, as this will make her job easier – as of now she isn’t authorized to use money orders for Parks’ purchases and can’t drive Parks’ vehicles. The budget will need to be modified to make her a part-time employee and Dudley will bring it to the next meeting. Commissioners voted to change the contractor’s status.
Commissioners discussed getting a food truck for the upcoming eclipse, and maybe in the future permanently. Dudley said he had one interested party but that he had not had much interest from other food trucks in Eureka Springs. The commission voted to allow a truck unopposed.
Finally, commissioner Ruth Hager wanted it noted that the Parks does not want to compete, and isn’t competing, with lodging in town with their cabin prices. She said there was only one Lake Leatherwood and so it had no other park to compete against. Commissioners agreed that they would to research and choose a booking site for the cabins.