Community Profile

Pledge Summary

Hot Springs is the most popular tourist destination in the state of Arkansas with nearly 7 million annual visitors. It is located just southwest of the state capital of Arkansas with a population of more than 38,000 residents. As a part of the Natural State, the city of Hot Springs is nestled alongside Hot Springs National Park, also known as the first U.S. National Reservation, as well as the Ouachita National Forest and two state parks. It is surrounded by three man-made lakes, one of which is the largest lake in the state and also consistently ranked one of the cleanest lakes in the nation. In addition to the state/federal attractions, the City of Hot Springs boasts of having 22 parks within and surrounding the city limits, along with the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail. Between all these entities, Hot Springs has more than 100 miles of hiking/walking trails. In an effort to bring awareness to pollinators, the City of Hot Springs partners with community groups such as the Master Gardeners and Arkansas Master Naturalists, Diamond Lakes Division (DLAMN) to host a variety of presentations and educational events at pollinator areas on city-owned parks and trails. This includes the popular Monarch Butterfly releases held at the Monarch Butterfly Garden on the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail, which was created with the help of DLAMN. By signing the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, Hot Springs Mayor Pat McCabe has committed to continue to save the monarch butterfly and other pollinators and looks forward to engaging residents in pollinator education and building more pollinator habitats throughout the city.