CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

'Smith Lake is back': Recreation area and more now open at Fort Bragg

Fayetteville Observer - 5/29/2021

May 29—An old water hole is now open at Fort Bragg.

Smith Lake closed after Hurricane Matthew caused damage and dam failure in 2016.

Fort Bragg leaders revealed beach renovations, new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant walkways and new Smith Lake Outdoor Recreation Center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday.

"Smith Lake is back and is able to provide a measure of quality of life to families and soldiers that we haven't had for five years," said Col. Scott Pence, Fort Bragg's garrison commander.

Pence relayed the history of the Smith Lake Outdoor Recreation area, saying it was established in the 1960s for special duty military personnel and has since expanded across 800 acres of woodlands.

He described the changes to the Smith Lake beach area as a "dramatic transformation."

Since its closure, the dam was repaired and has undergone renovations.

The 67-acre man-made lake officially reopened to the public Thursday.

There's improved boathouse docking, upgrades to changing rooms, an improved snack bar, pavilions, bumper boats, paddle boats, kayaks and a new floating, climbable iceberg in the swim area, Pence said.

The large swan and duck bumper boats were in storage for 10 years, and a floating walkway now separates the bumper boat area from the swimming area, said James Day, outdoor recreation branch chief for Fort Bragg's Directorate of Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

"It's exciting to actually see kids in the water enjoying their families, enjoying themselves swimming out on the kayaks and paddleboats together," Day said on Thursday.

Motorized boats are not allowed in the area, and there are lifeguards.

The Ski Rixon, which uses cables instead of boats to pull people to ski over the water, is expected to open by July or August, Day said.

A cement-paved ramp starts at the higher elevated concession area and new outdoor recreation center and continues with several turns toward the beach access area.

"This was something Fort Bragg families asked for for a while because even though we had the beach, people in wheelchairs or who were mobility-impaired couldn't get down to it," Pence said.

Day said it cost about $750,000 for the ADA-compliant projects, which included the walkways, installing rails, upgrading locker rooms and showers, and placing a mat on the sand at the beach.

Pavilions with grills were also renovated.

The Smith Lake Outdoor Recreation Center was a $4 million project, which previous MWR Director Ray Lacey said was funded through non-appropriated funds, such as profits from Fort Bragg's golf courses, bowling alleys and other on-post facilities.

Ground for the 17,000-square-foot facility, which overlooks the lake, broke in 2019.

The new center is located in Building 5144 by the lake, which is off of Smith Lake Road, between McArthur and Honeycutt roads.

Pence said the facility can be used for social gatherings, conference or educational opportunities and features two breakout rooms, three larger conference rooms and a small warming kitchen for catering opportunities.

He said the new building and renovations are in line with the Army's "people first" strategy and quality of life initiatives.

"This is the Army putting its money where its mouth is and supporting families and soldiers," he said. "Every day that someone spends in the outdoors and close to nature is that much better for their mental health."

Day said the lake is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily for public use.

It will be open this weekend and Memorial Day to included themed days and the 82nd Airborne Division's rock band performing at various times Saturday, when water slides and inflatables will also be available.

Civilians who access the area will need to be accompanied by a Department of Defense cardholder, he said.

"The great point about Smith Lake that's not common to a lot of other garrisons is the proximity to the garrison," he said.

It is outside of Fort Bragg's gates, but about a couple of miles away from the Honeycutt gate.

"It just provides a getaway, where you kind of feel like you're getting out of the hustle and the bustle of the daily training," Day said.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.

___

(c)2021 The Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, N.C.)

Visit The Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, N.C.) at www.fayobserver.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Nationwide News