Things are looking up in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, thanks to the local Rotary Club. More specifically the best view of town from the East Mountain Rotary Overlook is once again looking out and over the trees of the City's East Mountain Reservation from the soon to be restored gazebo.
By paying for a survey and site plan, the Rotary Club worked with the Eureka Springs Parks & Recreation Commission to develop a strategy for clearing out trees that had grown up in the once-distant views from the Overlook and for restoring the gazebo that stands there.
The gazebo is a historic replica of one that used to sit below the 1886 Crescent Hotel across town, but this one was built in the 1990's, not in the prior century. The Overlook gazebo was commissioned by the Eureka Springs Parks & Recreation Commission and paid for by the Eureka Springs Rotary Club as a gift to the town. The location had already been used as an overlook for many years due to the sweeping views of Eureka Springs from its location atop East Mountain.
Chainsaws rang out in late March as the tree cutting commenced. The tree crew improved the view immediately in one long day of work. The Rotary Club is financing planting of low-growing dogwoods, redbuds and maples this fall to replace the tall trees that were cut. The first dogwood tree will be planted on Earth Day by the Parks Commission in thanks to the Rotary Club for financing and directing the East Mountain Rotary Overlook Project.
The shake roof of the gazebo will soon be replaced with a permanent copper roof. Other minor repairs will be made to preserve the structure, including new paint. An irrigation system for the new plantings and a security system to help curb vandalism are also planned. The Eureka Springs Rotary Club raised the initial money for the Overlook project in its 2008 fall auction. Fundraising to complete the work is ongoing.