How are you doing with that New Year’s resolution to get in shape and exercise regularly?  Is the gym so boring that you never want to go?  Crater of Diamonds State Park has a solution that will allow you to get outside and still get in your gym exercises.

In early February the park finished its installation of two exercise stations on our River Trail.  The stations were paid for with the grant money that given to the park from the Coca Cola Corporation in August, 2010.  The summer of 2010 the company held an internet contest as part of its Live Positively campaign.  This campaign demonstrated the company’s commitment to our state and national parks by encouraging all families to go out and play in their nearby parks. Individuals supported America’s parks by simply voting on the internet for their favorite park.  The Crater of Diamonds State Park placed in the top 10, and so received a $5,000 grant.  

The River Trail begins at the south side of the campground and winds its way down to the north bank of the Little Missouri River. After you turn into the park entrance, just follow the signs to the campground.  Then take the campground loop until you reach the trailhead. Parking spaces are available at the trailhead.  The River Trail is our ADA handicapped accessible trail, so approximately half of the 1.2 mile trail is paved and level.  The other half is primitive, but if you walk to the end of the paved trail and back, you will walk the full 1.2 miles. 

The two exercise stations are on the paved part of the trail.  The first station is only 200 or so feet from the trailhead.  It is a stretching and warm up area, and has an illustrated sign showing the way to use the equipment.  The second station is about 2/3 of the way down to the river bank.  So, by that time the visitor will be completely warmed up.  This station has equipment for performing more calisthenic-type exercises, with a slanted bench for sit-ups and another apparatus for push-ups.

So, if your exercise regimen is growing stale, come to the diamond mine.  The Spring Beauty flowers will soon be blooming along the trail and you can enjoy our lovely spring weather while keeping your New Year’s resolution to stay fit.

Search area last plowed:  December 4, 2012; Most recent significant rainstorms: 1.5 inches February 20-21

Total diamonds found in 2013: 98

Diamond finds for the week of February 17-23, 2013 (100 points = one carat):

No diamonds registered February 17-18.

February 19 - Timothy Gray, Royal, AR, 8 pt. brown, 13 pt. brown

No diamonds registered February 20-21.

February 22 - Timothy Gray, Royal, AR, 1.18 ct. yellow

February 23 - Beth Gilbertson, Murfreesboro, AR, 17 pt. brown