QUESTION: I do think Arkansas is the absolute best, the very, very, very best and I think everyone who lives here would agree with me. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the amazing Hot Springs Village for the first time. It is truly an arresting place. I was struck by the land, there is so much of it and so much of it seemingly left untouched. My host, another native Arkansan told me that HSV is the largest gated community in the United States. It’s big, but is it really that big?
Thanks, Rockin’ Arky
SCUTTLEBUTT: None to speak of….
Hot Springs Village
SKINNY: Rockin’ Arky, did you spend July 4th at Hot Springs Village? I did. It happened to be my first visit to HSV. It is big, really big, but wouldn’t you say that it is quite unassuming too.
Yes, there are lakes upon lakes and the golf course or golf courses go on for days it seems but then it’s got all those trees and places, idyllic natural places, spaces, undeveloped and left alone. I enjoyed that most of all.
According to privatecommunities.com, HSV is the largest private gated community in the United States of America. HSV is hailed as “a stunning 26,000 acre self-contained community featuring an award winning tennis center and nine amazing golf courses, including the four of the top ranked courses in Arkansas by Golf Digest magazine.”
HSV dedicates 25% of its land to green space. According to its website people are moving to the Village because of security. HSV has its own police and fire department, EMT emergency ambulance service, water, sewer and road maintenance departments. HSV is only accessible through five security gates. Homes are still being built and sold at HSV and they encourage folks to call toll free 800.483.7990 to make a reservation for a tour.
“At a press conference during a meeting of the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission on January 21, 1970, company president John A. Cooper, Jr. announced plans for the immediate development of Hot Springs Village.” According to History of Hot Springs Village: 1970-2000, “the project was up and running at an incredibly rapid pace.”
Check out History of Hot Springs Village to learn more of the Native Americans who lived in this part of Garland County and subsequent Spanish and French occupiers.
The Encyclopedia of Arkansas notes three different types of housing units other than individual private lots available at HSV. “Townhomes were constructed in the western end, neighborhoods are distributed throughout the village, and timeshares are located in one section of the village known as Los Lagos.” Furthermore, it states “Prices for houses and townhouses range from $40,000 to $510,000, with a median price of $145,000.
CHECK THIS OUT: HSV’s 40th Anniversary in 2010…be there!
CHECK THIS OUT: Here’s a little ditty to make you grin. Enjoy!
Tags: Arkansas, Garland, Gated Community, Hot Springs Village, Saline