Gift of Land to Garvan Woodland Gardens to be Auctioned

Hot Springs, Ark. - Property donated to University of Arkansas School of Architecture's botanical gardens, Garvan Woodland Gardens by Dick and Carol Pratt of Lake Village and Hot Springs will be offered at public auction Oct. 14. The proceeds from the property's sale will support the construction of the Anthony Chapel at the Gardens and support the First United Methodist Church of Lake Village.

Jeff Shannon, dean of the School of Architecture, said: "We'd like to thank Dick and Carol Pratt for their generosity and commitment to seeing Arkansas' botanical resource expanded for the future. Their gift will help support the construction of the Anthony Chapel, a stunning facility that we expect will become a statewide landmark, a valued public resource and treasure."

The auction of the 126 donated home sites in the Lakeside Place Subdivision will be sold at public auction at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14. The sale will be conducted at the Lakeside Athletic Club in Lake Village. People who purchase one of the lots will have a boat dock space and privileges at the Lakeside Place Athletic Club, located on the premises. The Lakeside Place Property Owners Association annual dues are $21 per month and include grounds, exterior maintenance and gold privileges.

Wilson Auctioneers Inc. of Hot Springs will handle the sale of the property. At 11 a.m. Oct. 14, the sellers will host a pre-auction fish fry for all registered bidders attending the auction. Also included during the fish fry will be a seminar in which Wilson Auctioneers' staff will demonstrate to bidders exactly how the auction and bidding process will be conducted.

Dick Pratt said: "The Anthony Chapel is one of the most interesting new projects being developed, not just in Hot Springs but in the entire state as well. The chapel will be a wonderful new attraction in Arkansas that will also help advance the spiritual needs of the Hot Springs community."

Carol Pratt said: "Dick and I have had such pleasant experiences at the Gardens. It offers us inspiration, tranquility and the beauty of nature. Garvan Woodland Gardens is a place that people from around the country, and the world for that matter, should experience when they visit Hot Springs."

Ground was broken in September on the $3.4 million Anthony Chapel complex, designed by Fayetteville firm Maurice Jennings + David McKee Architects.

"When we drafted the master plan for the Gardens in 1998, we set aside this land for something special. The site selected for the chapel will offer spectacular views of Lake Hamilton," said Bob Byers, Garvan Woodland Gardens director of operations.

A permanent acknowledgement of the Pratt gift at Garvan Woodland Gardens will be announced at a later date. Other benefactors who contributed toward the chapel project include Hot Springs residents John Ed and Isabel Anthony for whom the chapel is being named, and Bob and Sunny Evans, also of Hot Springs, who have committed $800,000 to the chapel project for construction of the Evans Sanctuary and the Evans Groom's Quarters. The Evanses donated an additional $500,000 to build the Evans Children's Garden, scheduled to open in the spring of 2006. Hot Springs couple Betty and Leon Millsap recently donated $500,000 to fund construction of the Betty and Leon Millsap Bridal Hall.

"All gifts have helped make this chapel a reality. We've had extraordinary support and interest in this project," said Garvan Woodland Gardens executive director David Davies.

Dick Pratt is a 1950 B.S.B.A. graduate of the University of Arkansas. He received a law degree from the U of A in 1951. He practiced general law in Little Rock for many years with the firm of Pope, Pratt, Schamburger, Buffalo, Ryan and Ross. Pratt retired from his law firm in 1982 and continued pursuits of farming interests in southeast Arkansas and real estate and land development throughout the state.

In 1998, Dick and Carol purchased a retirement place on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs and are in the process of retiring to the Spa City from Lake Village.

Directions to Lakeside Place Subdivision in Lake Village, Ark.: From U.S. Highway 65, turn east at light onto St. Mary's Street (Highway 144). Travel ½ mile to Lakeshore Drive and turn left. Continue for 2.5 miles to Lakeside Place on the left. Watch for auction signs.

Joe Wilson, the auctioneer, said: "Lakeside Place Subdivision is a recreational heaven. This private piece of developed paradise overlooks the beautiful, scenic Lake Chicot, home to some of the best crappie fishing in the South. It's located only minutes from historic Greenville, Miss., and widely recognized for its thriving Mississippi River commerce and casino gaming. This would be a tremendous investment opportunity for all of those fortunate to purchase lots or blocks of lots on auction day.

For information about the chapel complex or Garvan Woodland Gardens, call Development Director Bob Bledsoe at (501) 262-9610 or (800) 366-4664.