Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined officials from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism for a special open house celebrating a series of investments that honor the park's history while preparing Arkansas' first state park for its next century.
The event highlighted the reopening of the newly renovated historic Mather Lodge; expanded outdoor recreation opportunities including the first via ferrata in the country located within a state park, new climbing experiences, and the development of a Monument Trail mountain biking system; and the unveiling of an Arkansas 250 historical marker recognizing Petit Jean's important place in Arkansas history.
"For more than a century, generations of Arkansans have come to Petit Jean to experience the beauty of The Natural State," said Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Shea Lewis. "From restoring Mather Lodge to creating new ways to experience Petit Jean's landscape, we are honoring the history of this park while preparing it for its next century."
Guests toured the newly renovated Mather Lodge, where improvements to the historic guest rooms, led by Arkansas State Parks and Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, to enhance the visitor experience while preserving the character and craftsmanship that have made the lodge a defining part of Petit Jean State Park.
"Just because tourists want the rustic charm of a lodge built in the 30s, doesn't mean they necessarily want the same amenities of 100 years ago," said Governor Sanders. "And just because Petit Jean features some of the best outdoor beauty in Arkansas, doesn't mean it will get seen or used if we don't invest in it. Our renovations at Mather Lodge included brand new fixtures, furnishings, and finishes that maintain this building's historic charm while still meeting the modern visitor's expectations."
The celebration also showcased the park's growing outdoor recreation offerings. The new Petit Jean Via Ferrata, offered in partnership with Frontier Climbing Company, creates a new way for visitors of varying experience levels to engage with Petit Jean's iconic terrain and experience the park from a different perspective. Later this fall, in partnership with Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation, new mountain biking experiences will begin opening at Petit Jean State Park, offering trails and opportunities for riders of varying skill levels.
The event also featured the unveiling of a new Arkansas 250 historical marker commemorating Petit Jean State Park as Arkansas' first state park. Selected by the Arkansas 250 Commission as part of the state's commemoration of America's 250th anniversary, the marker recognizes Petit Jean's role in Arkansas history and its significance to generations of Arkansans. The marker will be permanently installed at the Petit Jean State Park Visitor Center.
Petit Jean State Park also welcomed its new superintendent, Will Ward, who previously served at the park as a ranger.
"It is an honor to be trusted with the role of superintendent at Petit Jean State Park," said Ward. "I spent some of the most formative years of my career here as a park ranger, and as I worked at other state parks, my goal was always to continue growing in experience and knowledge so I could eventually make my way back to Petit Jean Mountain, which has always felt like home. I look forward to working with our team to continue elevating recreation experiences while caring for this special place."
For photos of the event, click HERE.
For video click HERE.
Mather Lodge photo collection HERE.