POCAHONTAS, Ark. — New gazebos are set to enhance the shores of Baltz Lake in Pocahontas, thanks to a donation from a local resident that fully funds the project. The effort will come at no cost to the city.
Two 16-by-16 concrete slabs have already been installed along the lakefront. Mayor Keith Futrell confirmed that gazebos and picnic tables will soon be placed atop those foundations, with the structures expected to complement the lake’s existing fishing dock aesthetically through green roofing.
The mayor explained that the idea for the gazebos came after observing visitors using the lake as a spot to eat lunch. The goal was to provide a space where residents and travelers alike could enjoy both their meal and the surrounding scenery.
Although the project was originally planned to fit within the city's budget, the donation shifted plans. "I showed [a local resident] this project, and he thought it was something that he had an appetite for, and he decided to fund it," Futrell said. "So, it’s 100% funded by a local resident for the people of Pocahontas to enjoy Baltz Lake as we have it."
Baltz Lake, located at the entrance to Pocahontas’s downtown area, has undergone several recent upgrades. Futrell noted how these improvements were inspired by feedback from visitors traveling through the area, particularly truck drivers passing by the scenic lake.
"The very first thing you see when you come to Pocahontas is going to be this lake when you get here," Futrell said. "It looks good. It shows representation of the city and our dedication to making things nice here in Pocahontas."
The mayor estimates the project will be finished by mid- to late November, providing the community and its visitors with a new amenity to enjoy before the end of fall.