Page 6 - RVO TR Greers Ferry Lake May 2016

6 • Sunday, May 29, 2016 • Life on Greers Ferry Lake River Valley & Ozark and Three Rivers Editions of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette GREERS FERRY LAKE / HERE TO STAY
Lake living
GREERS FERRY LAKE AREA OFFERS MORE THAN JUST A VACATION SPOT
By Sarah DeClerk
Advertising Supplement
SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
Many people travel to Greers Ferry Lake during the summer to splash
in the water and bask in the sun, but the communities adjacent to the lake are not only great places to vacation; they are great places to live, work and retire.
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Fairfield Bay offers ample opportunities for residents to enjoy the waters of Greers Ferry Lake, and the city also offers great schools, community activities and a fun-filled atmosphere.
HEBER SPRINGS
The first settlers arrived in Heber Springs in the 1830s, and the city was originally a health resort, according to the city of Heber Springs website.The city grew immensely after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed Greers Ferry Lake in 1963, and many of the city’s historic landmarks still remain in the city’s historic downtown.
Heber Springs now offers many amenities to residents, said Julie Murray, executive director of the Heber Springs Area Cham- ber of Commerce.
“We have a world-class hospital, we have an excellent school system with a brand-new performing arts auditorium, we have a community center with an aquatic center, and we have an affordable lifestyle here surrounded by natural beauty,” she said.
Greers Ferry Lake offers a plethora of water-related activities, including scuba diving, and residents can trout fish at the Little Red River. In addition, residents can enjoy hiking, biking and golfing all year. During the offseason, the trumpeter swans who winter in Heber Springs delight both residents and tourists, Murray said.
Retirees are especially attracted to the city’s outdoor oppor- tunities, she said.“Retirees are much more active because people are retiring so much younger now, so there’s so many things to keep them active,” she said, adding that the city also offers an array of volunteer opportunities to help residents stay busy.
Heber Springs is also favorable for those looking to start their own businesses, she said.
“This is very much an entrepreneurial town,” she said.“Most of our restaurants here are locally owned and operated, which certainly adds to the charm of the community. Most of our re- tail shops are locally owned, so that lends itself to very unique shopping as opposed to department-store shopping.”
GREERS FERRY
The city of Greers Ferry was established in 1968 and named after the adjacent lake, the Cleburne County website states.The first residents were displaced from older towns and settlements
in the area, and since the city’s inception, many others have found a home in Greers Ferry.
“It’s quiet and peaceful here,” said Jo Ann Wanat, president of the Greers Ferry Chamber of Commerce.“We don’t have a lot of traffic. It’s just a small-town community.”
Residents come for the friendly community and the op- portunities offered by the lake, she said, adding that the city is an ideal place to raise children because families have access to great schools in the West Side School District, as well as city parks and a library.
“The crime rate here is very low, too,” she said. “We hardly have any crime at all.”
Although the city slows down a bit in the winter,Wanat said, there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the lake during the offseason.The city hosts fishing tournaments every weekend starting in January, she added.“We have people from all over coming in for that,” she said.
FAIRFIELD BAY
Established in 1966, Fairfield Bay celebrated its 50th anni- versary in April, said Heather Dunn, executive director of the Fairfield Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.The city was founded as a resort community on the shores of the newly created lake, according to the city of Fairfield Bay website.
“It’s a wonderful place for people that are just wanting a slow-paced, restful place to live. We have many things for you to do,” Dunn said.
Residents can hike or mountain bike in the city parks, kayak or paddleboat around the lake, or take day trips to the many cities and attractions within driving distance, she said. During the offseason, the city offers numerous events to help residents stay busy, including Octoberfest in the fall and the Festival of Trees in December, she said.
“Our No. 1 draw is we’re a retirement community, and we’re also a resor t community. It’s just a wonderful place to come and relax,” she said.
Retirees aren’t the only ones who feel at home in Fairfield
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Those who want a quiet, peaceful abode may choose to live in the city of Greers Ferry.
Bay, however. Families with children can benefit from the city’s Olympic-sized pools and children’s activities, such as movie nights, she said.The city also provides several schooling options, including the West Side School District, the Clinton School District and Shirley High School.
“We have a lot of kids’ events that we do throughout the year, so it’s a great place to raise a family,” Dunn said.
Working professionals also have plenty of employment op- por tunities at local businesses, the Fairfield Bay Community Club and nearby medical centers, she said, and there are many places for budding entrepreneurs to establish shops.
“It is fun to come and experience the Ozarks and experience the lake,” she said. “It’s just wonderful. It’s a wonderful place to live and visit.”