Local News
Some Arcadia Lake riders, residents object to city's plans
EDMOND — Along with the future construction of Carl Reherman Park at Arcadia Lake at the end of 33rd Street come questions and concerns from residents about how it will affect the area and the equestrian trails.
About 20 supporters and opponents of the park attended the Fish and Game Commission meeting Tuesday to voice their opinions. The concept plan for the park currently includes a fishing pier, restroom facility, picnic pavilion, courtesy dock, boat ramp, a parking lot and a new entry and gate house at 33rd and Air Depot.
Assistant City Manager Steve Commons said the park will be day use only. The park will cost at least $1 million, which would be partially federally funded.
Jim Hicks, Fish and Game commission member, said the boat ramp was proposed by the police department to facilitate traffic on the lake. He said the ramp is closer to the designated area for Sea-Doos and would keep them from having to drive from all areas of the lake to get there.
“There is a big need for a boat ramp,” said Robert Roof, who lives near Arcadia Lake.
He said his driveway backs onto 15th Street, and traffic gets so congested in the summer he can’t back out.
Judy Tuggle spoke on behalf of some Arcadia Lake residents who are concerned about what the construction will do to wildlife and wetlands in that area. Tuggle said they would prefer further development of equestrian and hiking trails or the addition of a nature park that “emphasized beauty versus tearing down trees, putting in more concrete and adding a boat deck.”
“We don’t want to cut down a lot of trees,” Hicks said. “We’re not looking to diminish any horse trails.”
Commons told Arcadia Lake residents at a neighborhood meeting a few weeks ago that the limit of water craft on the lake was about 150 to coordinate with the number of parking spaces, which would increase with the addition of a parking lot.
“I’m concerned about putting more than 150 water craft on the lake,” Tuggle said.
She said she also is concerned about the fire hazard to homes that would be within 100 feet of a planned picnic area. Tuggle said there are no fire hydrants in the area to control a barbecue fire.
Equestrians also requested improvements to the trails. Terri Forks, equestrian, requested help picking up the trash in the trail area that still is left over from when Deep Forks flooded two years ago.
“There is a saying ‘If you build it, they will come,’” said Jo Rench, equestrian. “Right now there is no reason to come to Arcadia to ride. It’s dirty. It’s trashy. It’s small. It’s like a third world country.”
Forks said they also are not allowed access to the restroom facility at Spring Creek and would like to have a picnic table designated for equestrians. Jim Roberts, commission chairman, suggested they designate a picnic table for equestrians in the new park.
Bill Parkerson, of the U.S. Corps of Engineers, said according to Federal Regulation Title 36, horses are not allowed in public parks and in fact a fence would have to be installed to separate the trail from the park.
Commons said he still is willing to have a public meeting for anyone interested to voice their concerns.
The commission also approved a request by Ashley Stringer, Edmond water quality specialist, to go forward with a project to install an interpretive sign at three different parks around Arcadia Lake to educate residents about water quality and behaviors they can change to help improve it.
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Locals depart on Leavenworth 10 Freedom Ride
OKLAHOMA CITY —They came from towns across Oklahoma and the riders want U.S. military and political leaders to know about the Leavenworth 10:
• 1st Lt. Michael Behenna
• Sgt. Evan Vela Carnahan
• Pfc. Corey Clagett
• Staff Sgt. Raymond Girouard
• Master Sgt. John E. Hatley
• Spec. William B. Hunsaker
• Sgt. Larry Hutchins
• Sgt. Michael Leahy
• Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Mayo
• Sgt. Michael P. Williams -
Rolling paper, scales lead to marijuana bust
Rolling paper, a cigar blunt wrap, digital scales and hydrocodone led to the seizure of 110 grams of marijuana from an Edmond home, police said.
An anonymous tip about illegal drug usage led police on Aug. 28 to an apartment at 1300 E. Ayers, according to a report filed by Edmond Police Officer Joshua Pratt. -
A&E show to shine light on hoarding in Oklahoma
One Edmond family will be the focus of a television program shedding light on an increasingly common problem.
Behind closed doors, many Oklahomans struggle with a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder known as “hoarding,” which is marked by a need to acquire and keep things, even if the items are worthless, hazardous or unsanitary. -
9-4 Labor day closings
All City of Edmond offices will be closed Monday to observe Labor Day. Trash collection will be delayed one day for the remainder of the week and Citylink Bus service will not run.
Other closings include:
• State and federal offices will be closed Monday. -
9-4 Community: your news
DAR promotes Constitution Week awareness
The Samuel King Chapter, NSDAR, will hold its annual membership registration and guest tea at the home of Rosalind Triplett at 2 p.m. Sept. 12. Members, their guests and those interested in becoming members are invited to attend. -
9-4 Calendar
Edmond community events
4 Saturday
The 32nd annual Arts Festival Oklahoma is set for Sept. 4-6 at Oklahoma City Community College where festival-goers may view and purchase original artwork and handicrafts, listen to live performances and sample a diverse selection of food. Arts Festival Oklahoma is produced and hosted by Oklahoma City Community College. For more information, go to occc.edu/afo. -
Artist visits swan sculpture
Acclaimed as one of the world’s greatest living sculptors, Sir David Wynne unveils a commissioned iconic monumental-size sculpture, Swans in Flight, Friday afternoon in front of Armstrong Auditorium.
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9-4 Calendar: Edmond senior center
Monday
Edmond Senior Center closed for Labor Day
Tuesday
9:15 a.m.: Early Risers exercise
10 a.m.: *Quilting group
noon: *Choir practice -
$20M concert hall opens in Edmond
Sitting in one of Armstrong Auditorium’s plush seats, looking at the concert stage you can easily imagine Luciano Pavarotti singing “Nessun Dorma.”
It won’t be long before patrons will be listening to actual world-class artists performing on the stage. -
Republican women open HQ
Republican gubernatorial candidate Mary Fallin asked undecided voters to carefully consider where each candidate stands on issues concerning Oklahoma.
The 5th District congresswoman was one of many dignitaries attending the Edmond Republican Women Headquarters grand opening Thursday morning at 3409 Broadway Extension, suite 600. - More Local News Headlines
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