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Current Happenings

Thank you for visiting the Pine Bluff Current Happenings Page. Check back periodically for postings on Corps of Engineers special events, and current issues concerning the Pine Bluff Project Office.

News Releases

Mobility Impaired White-Tailed Deer Hunt
This year Tim Gault, Jonathon Smith, Todd Corley, and Justin Prince participated in the Pine Bluff Project Office’s mobility impaired whitetail deer hunt. Over 50 deer were seen throughout the three day hunt, with five shots being fired. Tim made a nice 100 yard shot and closed the deal on a 2 ½ year old 8pt buck. Jonathon fired twice connecting the first time on a spike, doing the deer herd a favor. This deer was 1 ½ years old but only had only ½ inch spikes. The second shot however was a swing and a miss. This doe will continue to eat out of the green pastures that the Arkansas River bottoms provide. Justin also accounted for two shots successfully scaring the “pellets” out of does on both occasions. We would also like to send out a special Thank You to Andy with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for making his appearance again when the hamburger and hotdog came off the grill. We are sad that this year’s hunting extravaganza has come to an end and we are looking forward to the 2008-09 season.

Click on the Thumbnails to see photos from the hunt.

Tar Camp Park Among Top 100 Campgrounds in Nation
PINE BLUFF, Ark., June 29 – Tar Camp Park near Redfield on the Arkansas River was recently selected by Reserve America as one of “America’s Top 100 Family Campgrounds” based on customer feedback, park amenities, stunning outdoor scenery, and educational offerings to visitors. More

Ste. Marie Park Open For Season, Use Fees Set
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., April 23 – With the onset of spring, Ste. Marie Park on the Arkansas River at Pine Bluff is up and running, and the Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the park, has announced fee schedules at the park for the new recreation season. More

Tar Camp Park Renovation - July 2006
Stage 1 of renovating Tar Camp Park is complete. See the Tar Park Camp photo album to the right.

For the past two months if you have visited Tar Camp Park in Redfield, Arkansas you would have noticed that “C” and “D” areas of the Park have been closed due to the construction of new updated park design. The improvements include larger camping pads and longer turnouts for increased parking space, new illuminated electrical and water hook-ups for ease of visibility at night and two new pull through sites. Two new primitive tent camping pads have been added to “C” area as well. More primitive sites will be established if usage of these two new sites shows to be highly desirable. Each camping area have had impact areas added along with convenient, moveable lamp post and handicapped accessible grill and fire rings.

For our young visitors a new rock climbing wall and basketball goal have been added to the existing playground.

Taken by suggestion from Tar Camps most loyal customers, five of the existing speed bumps have been removed throughout the park. Fruit trees (apple and pair) were added to the park this year and more trees will be added annually.

Creating a more pleasurable experience for our customers was not the only goal of this new park design. Lowering daily operating cost was also a major objective. By removing individual garbage receptacles at each camping site and replacing them with three strategically place dumpsters throughout the park; our budgeting goals have now been reached as well.

In the near future expect to see other improvements such as a fish cleaning station, a weigh-in platform for fishing tournaments located at the boat ramp, and new waterborne restrooms with showers replacing the vault toilet located in “C” area.

These improvements were designed to create a more pleasurable recreational experience for all ages. Consider yourself invited.

Family and Community Fishing Derby
PINE BLUFF, Ark., June 2006--The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) in cooperation with the Corps of Engineers Pine Bluff Project Office bring to an end another successful Family and Community Fishing Derby. This program, established by the AGFC, was introduced as a community project to promote fishing to today’s youth. This is the third time this event has been held at Willow Beach Park Lake. It has expanded from 15 local youths who participated in the first fishing derby to this year amazing turn out of approximately 200 youths and their families.

The AGFC continually stocks Willow Beach Park Lake with catfish for this event and year round recreation. This event is usually held in late spring to early summer. Contact AGFC for fishing derby dates in your area.

Click on the Family and Community Fishing Derby June 06 link under Photo Album to see pictures of the event.

Updated/Reviewed: 30 Jan 2008