20 Apr 2015 Fairfield Bay: Country living with city benefits

by Sonja J. Keith

The Fairfield Bay community has a lot to offer both visitors and those who call it home.

Located among the natural beauty of Greers Ferry Lake in northeastern Van Buren County, Fairfield Bay features a unique lifestyle perfect for those who appreciate and enjoy the outdoors.

Mayor Paul Wellenberger takes pride in his community’s welcoming and neighborly atmosphere. It is no surprise that Fairfield Bay was recently named a City of Distinction for outstanding quality of life by Arkansas Business.

“It’s country living with city benefits,” the mayor said.

There are no traffic lights among the town’s 76 miles of paved “country boulevards” amid the rolling hills dotted with beautiful landscaped homes. The 14,000-acre city is safe and boasts excellent scores in the cost of living and quality of life indexes.

The pride that residents enjoy in their community is evident by its 50 service organizations and church groups and the high level of volunteerism.  A majority of residents are involved in at least one community organization.

Residents demonstrate they are good stewards of their surroundings with little if any litter and an impressive recycling program that is strictly voluntary. There is no curbside pickup, yet residents collect materials and transport them to the Hippe Recycling Center where volunteers sort the items.

Located near the community garden and a dog park, the center also has an educational component where individuals can learn more about recycling.

“Fairfield Bay is a special place that God gave us,” Paul said. “People take care of it.”

The spirit of community is prevalent throughout Fairfield Bay – from the recently renovated Fairfield Bay Conference & Visitor Center to the beautiful outdoor areas maintained by the local Master Gardeners.

The recently renovated visitor center is a conference, performing and visual arts center all in one. In addition to indoor and outdoor areas perfect for relaxing, the North Central Arkansas Art Gallery is located in the center. Fairfield Bay has attracted a number of talented artists, some who have their work on display and for sale in the gallery.  

The center is the venue for a weekly Welcome Breakfast which is open to visitors as well as residents to learn more about Fairfield Bay and its many amenities. They are given a copy of a weekly activity schedule, fun ‘BayVenture’ cards with key points of interest, as well as a map of the area and can make arrangements to take advantage of the area’s many recreational opportunities.

“We want to make sure they have a great time,” the mayor said. “Once they spend some time here, they love it.”

The full-service marina at Fairfield Bay has a variety of offerings for those who want to enjoy Greers Ferry Lake, including rentals (boats, paddle boats and paddle boards), a snack bar and a gift shop. Ice, bait and tackle are also available. Soon, there will also be a veterans fishing barge, made possible through donations, at the marina.

Three days a week, the marina offers a shuttle to nearby Sugar Loaf Mountain Island. Built by the Army Corps of Engineers, the Sugar Loaf Mountain Trail, Arkansas’ only island mountain trail, was also one of the first designated National Scenic Trails in America.

Plus, young and old enjoy feeding the fish from the marina dock and can have their photo taken to document they survived at the “feeding frenzy.”

Local historical attractions at Fairfield Bay include three totem poles made by local woodworkers, the Log Cabin Museum (free admission), petroglyphs, beautiful caves and an Indian Thong Tree. The museum, built in 1850, illustrates a home and life in the Ozarks in the 1880s.

Outdoor amenities are aplenty at Fairfield Bay, which has three outdoor swimming pools with incredible mountain and lake views and two premier 18-hole golf courses. The Tennis Center features eight championship courts, two night courts and tennis instruction for beginners.

Other recreational opportunities include two Harris Cup certified 18-hole miniature golf courses, 30 miles of biking and hiking trails, a disc golf course, bowling, shuffleboard, horseshoes, a picnic pavilion and outdoor volleyball and basketball courts. The mayor points out that a green box at the basketball court contains basketballs available for anyone to use, and not once has a ball gone missing. “Only in Fairfield Bay would that happen.”

There is also an amphitheater, made possible through the local Lions Club. Perfect for outdoor meetings or gatherings, it has been used to show movies. Seating can accommodate 220.

Fairfield Bay also has retail shops in its outdoor mall, a senior center and a library staffed by volunteers.

Perfect for corporate meetings, retreats, family reunions and special celebrations, Fairfield Bay offers many lodging options. The town has about 600 condominiums, from VIP condos to villas. (For more information, call 501.884.4202.)

Fairfield Bay is a great place to call home as well as a wonderful destination for visitors – whether for a day trip or an extended stay. The city has developed several tools to help visitors tap into amenities, including an app (Fairfield BayApp.com), seasonal planning guides for 36-hour trips and Bay Venture Cards which illustrate the many activities available.

Special events are held throughout the year, including “Bloomin’ in the Bay” (May), Surf the Bay (June), Fourth of July, BoatiGras (August), Oktoberfest with StoryFest (October) and Festival of Trees (December).

Fairfield Bay’s charm is reflected among its signature blue and green chairs that are located throughout the community. They illustrate the town’s desire
to make everyone feel welcome and at home. Visitors are encouraged to take their photo at the city’s landmark “Big Blue Chair” at the entrance to the town.

“It’s pretty awesome to be a mayor in a town like this,” the mayor said.