LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced in a Monday afternoon news conference that the state will open an additional state park.
The governor said she was about to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Park Service for the state to take over the Blanchard Springs cavern complex. The Blanchard Springs State Park will encompass not only the cavern complex but also provide access to White River recreation areas for activities such as biking and hiking, the governor said.
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The new park is also close to the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, the governor said.
“From the moment we launched the Natural State Initiative, our mission has been clear: protect what makes Arkansas special and build an outdoor economy that supports every corner of our state,” the governor said.“Blanchard Springs Caverns is a jewel of the Ozarks, and by kickstarting the process to designate it as a state park, we’re preserving its cultural and environmental legacy while creating new opportunities for tourism, jobs, and year-round adventure.”…