Pine Ridge Lake project proposals reviewed

Plans for development of what for many years has been known as the State Pond site west of Jonesboro were reviewed at a public hearing held last week in Anna.

The sparsely attended meeting was held Tuesday evening, May 26, at the Sunshine Inn Community Center in Anna.

Much of the discussion at the hearing was led by Dave Shaffer, a retired landscape architect and Union County resident.

Shaffer is a member of a committee which was appointed by the Union County Board of Commissioners to look into the future of the State Pond site.

One change already has been proposed – changing the name of the site to Pine Ridge Lake.

Copies of a preliminary park planning program drafted by the committee were distributed to those who attended the hearing.

"The intent of this program is to develop an optimum mix of facilities and activities that will provide a quality family experience and support tourism in Union County. To prevent overdevelopment, priorities need to be set that create a quality and sustainable park," the document explained.

"I think we need to develop a class facility. I think we are working on that," Shaffer said.

"Park program elements" have been identified which focus on site development needs that are potentially to be included in the planning for what would be known as the Pine Ridge Lake site.

Discussion items which are being reviewed include:

•The name of the site. The current State Pond name "sounds like a state facility and is tied to Choate Hospital. Consideration should be considered in creating a new identity."

•An existing water plant structure on the property, which provides potential opportunities.

Several ideas have been discussed, from razing the building to establishing a restaurant. "A potential concept may be to develop it to provide visitor orientation, interpretive exhibits and park administration."

•A Trail of Tears interpretive center has been considered. "A determination has been made that it will only be constructed when a specific need has been established. At this time it has been determined that the facility is beyond the ability for (the) county to cooperate."

•Future acquisition: Initial programming is identifying that there is a potential need for additional land to accommodate all the identified facilities and activities.

Development of campground facilities appear to be favored, along with other recreational opportunities.

The cost of the project remains uncertain. "This is a concept plan," Shaffer said. "This is the stage where you want to kick things around."

The committee will be working to develop a budget for the project, which is expected to be done in phases. Grant funding for a variety of sources will be sought.

Union County officials will be asked to make a commitment for local funding. The Union County Board of Commissioners is reviewing the matter.

<p>Dave Shaffer discussed plans for development of the Pine Ridge Lake site during a public hearing last week in Anna.</p>