Date of Visit: 18 April 2024
Magnolia, AR
78º cloudy with high humidity
Just outside of Magnolia, Logoly, my 32nd park, charmed me. First things first, though, let’s tackle the pronunciation. Of all the parks, this one had me stumped. Before arriving, I kept saying log-ollie. Nope. It’s low-go-lie. Three families shared ownership of the land now comprising the park: the Longinos, Goodes, and Lyles. In the 1940s they sold the land to the Boy Scouts of America, and the BSA christened it Camp Logoly, slightly tweaking the pronunciation of the syllables derived from the family names. In the late 60s, the BSA left and sold the land to the Nature Conservancy, and in 1973, the State Parks system acquired it for the purpose of establishing an environmental education park. A half century later, I’m here to say they’ve done a wonderful job!
The forest rules this park. While not virgin timber, the woodlands on the parks acreage comprise some of the last old-growth forest in Arkansas. In fact, I learned the difference while at the park. In the past, I might have used the two descriptions interchangeably. Virgin remains obvious, never cut. Old growth means it might have been cut some way back in the day, but the forest has evaded massive cuts and re-growth for the timber industry. The park provides three trails as entry points to experiencing the magnificent trees and all the supporting cast members.
If you have any questions about the forest ecosystem, or you have kids interested, this is the park for you. The visitor center provides great displays and interactive models. At other parks in timber country, I found many displays championing the timber industry in Arkansas. As I read about the conservation of this land, I felt relieved. It turns out that we can thank Magnesia Springs (also located in the park) as early tourism to the site meant the land received protection from before the turn of the 20th century. The park also takes environmentalism seriously as shown by the “green building” status of the visitor center. Then, out on the Crane’s Fly Trail, I found one of my favorite spots, the “dead tree at work” stop. Park staff built a wooden bridge over a dead tree going about the business of decomposing. There is even a big “do not disturb” sign which made me smile.
While I didn’t choose the longer, 2-mile Spring Branch Trail, I enjoyed every moment I spent poking around Crane’s Fly and the offshoot to Magnesia Springs and Salt Springs. Being on the trails in April meant I saw some pretty spring colors in the flowers. Some that I noted: Carolina vetch, pacific pea, and prairie phlox, along with blooming red buckeye (a new favorite). Here’s a picture of the phlox with a photobombing inchworm for the joy of it. On the trail to Salt Springs, I stopped short at the sight of an all black dragonfly which turned out to be, in fact, an ebony jewelwing damselfly. I couldn’t get a good pic of that one, so you’ll have to click the link to see an image.
Next up: ??? I’ll be taking a break from posting as I reorganize my park plans. With 20 parks left to visit, the majority in northeast Arkansas, and a scattering left in the Ouachitas, I am reading and planning. We’ve got a massive heatwave headed our way, so I’ll be keeping to the air conditioning for the time being, working on writing and revising. Until then, thanks for reading!
