Parks staff say State Park Commission approved renaming Toltec Mounds to Plum Bayou Mounds

Representative Gonzales introduced an interim study about the historical name of Toltec Mounds. Leslie Fiskin, chief of legislative affairs for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, told the committee the agency engaged tribes and the public and that the State Park Recreation and Travel Commission approved a name change to include Plum Bayou.

Fiskin said there were several meetings with tribes beginning late in the previous year, an advertised public meeting in April and a public-comment period that drew 25 comments; she reported a consensus among respondents and tribes in favor of including Plum Bayou in the park’s name. "As of about 4 weeks ago, our State Park Recreation and Travel Commission has voted to change the name of Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park to Plum Bayou Mounds Archaeological State Park," Fiskin told the committee.

Parks staff said they are finalizing an implementation strategy covering signage, maps and literature and plan a public announcement and event once details and timing are set. Carlton Saffin, CMO of Saracen Casino Resort, said he represents Quapaw Nation interests and urged the department to set a date certain for implementation and communications.

Representative Gonzales and other members thanked staff and requested a follow-up with a date-certain for rollout; no committee vote was required at the hearing because the commission decision is an agency action.