Through an ongoing partnership between Main Street Helena and the Delta Bridge Project, citywide gateway and directional signs are being developed to guide visitors to destinations throughout the Helena area. This project (Tourism Goal 1, Action Step C) will support ongoing tourism development by highlighting our community’s assets, including the Delta Cultural Center, Helena Museum of Phillips County (formerly the Phillips County Museum), Helena River Park and the St. Francis National Forest.

A group of approximately 25 community stakeholders has helped develop and review the sign designs and location plan. MERJE, the design firm leading the project, has also incorporated the recommendations of the city’s 2010 Branding and Marketing Report. Phase one of the signage plan is targeted for installation in October of this year and will focus on directing visitors to destinations in the historic downtown.

Date & Time: Wednesday, May 25, 2011; 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Location: Delta Cultural Center’s Delta Eagle Room

Description: The quarterly meeting of the Tourism, Recreation and Quality of Life Goal Team led by Katie Harrington and Paula Oliver.

TRQ Goal Team Meeting Minutes for May 25, 2011 (.pdf)

To celebrate Earth Day, the Recycling Subcommittee of the Tourism, Recreation and Quality of Life Goal Team helped spread the word about the City’s cardboard recycling program. A newspaper article was written promoting the program and explaining the process.  Also the City’s May water bills featured a recycling reminder.

Celebrate Earth Day in H-WH by Recycling (.pdf)

“Members of the Phillips County Quorum Court Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution clarifying the intention of the county’s legislative body to provide ongoing support to the Phillips County Animal Control Center in its effort to provide animal control services for the cities in the unincorporated areas of Phillips County.

“I think this is something we should step back and be proud of. This is the first time in a while that the county and all the cities have come together on a project, “said Morgan. “A countywide partnership will be something to take notice of.” This partnership includes State Rep. Clark Hall, County Judge Don Gentry; Helena-West Helena Mayor Arnell Willis , Marvell Mayor Donald Cutlip, Elaine Mayor Lucien Webster, Lake View Mayor Henrietta Wilson, Lexa Mayor Donald Ford; Phillips County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Doug Friedlander and Humane Society of the Delta Executive Director Kathryn Freres.”

JP’s Support Countywide Animal Control (.pdf)

Southern Bancorp Capital Partners received a grant of $55,000 from the National Park Service American Battlefield Protection program to do earthworks restoration and preservation services at Civil War Batteries A and D and to do archaeological research at Batteries B and C.

Last week some metal detecting was done at the “C” site and some square nails, a small led ball and some broken glass were found. The archeological work on Battery C will help in determining where the revetment was located. A revetment is a wall or barricade. Plans are to rebuild the revetment at the site as a part of the total Civil War Helena Interpretive Plan.

Dig begins on Battery C (.pdf)

Date & Time: Thursday, March 10th, 2011; 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Location: Delta Eagle Room

Description: The quarterly meeting of the Tourism, Recreation and Quality of Life Goal Team. Goal team co-chair Paula Oliver worked with members to develop specific goals to accomplish in 2011.

TRQ Goal Team Meeting Minutes for 3.10.2011 (.pdf)

“We feel that these teens that are making these mistakes, that know that the offenses that are being made are wrong, seem to respond better to their peers playing the parts of the prosecutor and the attorney than they would if they were to face more serious actions in the court room,” Robinson said.

Youth Diversion Program (.pdf)

The Tourism, Recreation, and Quality of Life Goal Team meeting was held Thursday, December 9th, 2010 from 12:00am – 1:00pm at the Delta Eagle Room at the Delta Cultural Center’s Depot location.

TRQ Goal Team Meeting Agenda with notes (.pdf)

“The American Land Conservancy recently signed a contract and finished closing on a conservation easement agreement with the USDA to keep Buck Island for conservation, hunting and fishing and other recreational public use.”

Buck Island Upkeep Easement Signed (.pdf)

“The last blues riffs from B.B. King’s beloved Lucille have long since faded into the murky waters of the Mississippi River, but officials and business owners in this hardscrabble Arkansas Delta town are still celebrating the 25th annual Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival with full cheer.”

Blues Festival has Helena Singing (.pdf)