OZARK ISLE EXPEDITION!

Ozark Isle started out as a Corp of Engineers campground within Bull Shoals Lake in northern Arkansas.  It was originally the top of a mountain that was made somewhat inaccessible, when it became surrounded by water, due to the dam across the White River, that led to the formation of Bull Shoals Lake.  For this reason, a "causeway" was constructed by the Corp of Engineers that would connect the isolated island, the short distance that would link it to the "mainland". 

 A photo of the causeway is shown below, that also shows the locked gate that keeps unauthorized vehicles off of the island.  Locals have known for years that the locked gate did not mean they were forbidden from walking on the island, but most visitors would not know this, since there are no signs indicating pedestrians are allowed.

Many people, especially those who live in the Oakland area, have continued to use the island as a place to walk, bicycle, and view wildlife, especially birding enthusiasts.  Photo below shows Mary Beth Piorkowski (Ozark Isle Nature Preserve 501c3) and Roy Stovall (North Central Arkansas Master Naturalists), who led a walk, open to the public, that occurred at Ozark Isle, on January 1, 2024.  Shortly after January 1, 2024, the Corps approved a plan submitted by the two nonprofit organizations they represent, to restore Ozark Isle as a day-use park, for hikers, bicyclists, dog walkers, birders, and paddlers.  It is called OZARK ISLE NATURE PRESERVE, and you can see photos of the progress they are making on this project on the Facebook (www.facebook.com) page, under the same name. 

Mary Beth ( who lives very close to Ozark Isle ) had the idea that the abandoned Corp of Engineers campground could be salvaged and made into a Nature Preserve, and she had faith that it was within the realm of possibility.  For this reason, I am using this blog as my visual aid to help me learn one of my First Place 4 Health ( www.FirstPlace4Health.com ) memory verses that says, "For we live by faith, not by sight."  2 Corinthians 5:7  .   A map of the island is shown below.

The AllTrails map below, shows the areas suitable for walking/biking/hiking/strolling.

Photo below shows the group that enjoyed this "FIRST DAY 2024 HIKE".  I had no trouble getting in my 10,000 steps on this outing, because Ozark Isle consists of 462 acres!  There is no drinking water source on the island, so each person carried the fluids they would need for the day. 

This photo shows Roy Stovall, who heads up the Trail Patrol, for the North Central Arkansas Master Naturalists.  When Mary Beth talked to the Corp of Engineers administrative staff in Mountain Home, Arkansas, they told her they might consider her idea, but she would need to partner with a group like the Arkansas Master Naturalists, who are set up to do the volunteer trail work and trail maintenance, that such a project would involve.  Hence, she contacted Roy.  Roy gave a presentation to our Master Naturalist group, who endorsed the idea as a worthwhile project.

The "bump" you can see in the distance, in this photo I took while on Ozark Isle, is called Bull Mountain, located in the town on Bull Shoals, Arkansas.  The tower that is visible on top of the mountains, used to be a tourist attraction, which I climbed decades ago with my family.  It is no longer open to the public, but rather, is used as an elevated location for communication devices

One of the people in our group used their Garmin GPS device to show the location of Ozark Isle, in relation to where they lived, at a distant location on Bull Shoals Lake.  Unlike Bull Mountain, they determined there was no "line of sight" from the island to their location miles away. 

These two avid birders, Tony and Heather, had their binoculars on our First Day Hike, and alerted us to the bird species they were able to spot. 

Although you cannot tell it from the thick layer of leaves, there is actually a paved road that these folks are walking on. 

Besides paved roads, there are also some gravel roads on the island.  Notice the lady in the blue coat on the left is carrying a white bag.  That is because most members of our Master Naturalist group always have a bag with them when hiking, so we can pick up any litter that we find along the way.  If you are not doing this already, please do so!

On a chilly January 1 hike, there is a reduced risk of having one of those pesky ticks attach to your body!  However, as the weather in the Ozarks warms up, the risk of getting ticks and/or chiggers increases.  But, now, with the walkways on Ozarks Isle to be maintained by volunteers, one will be able to stroll on cleared and paved walkways in the summer, reducing the exposure to the itch-causing little critters!

These concrete picnic tables have withstood decades of exposure to the weather, and now their future is looking brighter, as they will be a pleasant rest area in the newly named Ozark Isle Nature Preserve.

The playground on Ozark Isle is still in tact, and some of our group took a quick swish down the tan slide.

 

 

The photo below shows the bathroom facility that was in use, at the time the Corps of Engineers closed the park to camping, in 2004.

The photo below shows what was probably one of the original rest room buildings that was built on the isle by the Corps.  I remember this style of bathroom, from when I first started visiting Corps of Engineer parks on Bull Shoals Lake, in the 1960's.

I was impressed by the efforts of the original park designers/construction workers, in the building of this "tree well", to protect this tree that stood beside one of the roads. 

This photo shows one of the First Day hikers, beside the sign pointing to Camp Area C.

This "Y" intersection shows the sign pointing to Camp Area D.

Besides the entry causeway, there is another shorter causeway, that forms one of two shallow lagoons that attract migrating waterfowl. 

This photo shows one of the former campsites, that included an RV parking space, concrete picnic table with benches, food preparation table, and grill for cooking with wood fire.  There are no plans to re-open the former campground to overnight camping. 

This photo shows the long walkway, as we leave the island, and start back toward the mainland, where our cars are parked.  The island has almost five miles of roads (mostly paved), and 8 miles of shoreline.

However, there is another Corps of Engineers park in the Oakland area, across from Ozark Isle, where a marina is located, as well as a playground, boat ramp, rv/tent sites,and picnic tables.  It also has a restroom building that is open seasonally.  You can find out more details about the Oakland park, by visiting the official Corps website at www.swl.usace.army.mil

The photo below shows why the area where I live is called the "TWIN LAKES" area.  On the east side of my home is Norfork Lake, and on the west side of my home is Bull Shoals Lake.  As you can see, both these lakes are predominantly in Arkansas, but they also extend northward into southern Missouri.  Thus, Ozark Isle Nature Preserve will draw regular visitors from both northern Arkansas and southern Missouri.  As it becomes more widely known, more visitors from other states will probably also enjoy activities there, when they are in the area. 

This is me, giving thanks to God, that I get to live in an area that values nature, and preserving spaces that encourage outdoor activities.  This place gives me "MILES OF SMILES"!!  Tricia