Clarks Donate Bench To Veterans Memorial Lake

When longtime Arkansas City residents Joe and Nel Clark relocated from their farm south of town to Lake View Estates, they found a warm welcome among new friends and the serene surroundings of Veterans Memorial Lake. 

"I prayed so hard that we'd get good neighbors here," Nel shared. "And we did. We walk around the lake every day. People are friendly, and we meet new people daily. We also get to feed the ducks — I've named these two Mac and Moe." 

The couple, who will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in April and have five children and 15 grandchildren, are passionate about the outdoors. Enjoying their walks around the lake, they felt inspired to contribute a bench where they and others in the community could rest and enjoy the scenery. However, when Joe inquired about purchasing a bench, he was taken aback by the high cost. 

"They told me it was going to cost $3,000," Joe remarked. 

This roadblock wasn't going to stop the Clarks. Instead, they enlisted the help of their son, Craig Clark, who used his handyman skills to weld together a frame and add wooden slats to create the bench. 

"He's quite handy," Joe proudly noted. 

Once Craig completed the bench, Joe delivered it to the Arkansas City Public Service Department. City crews set the bench in cement at the spot Joe and Nel chose. The city, responsible for maintaining the area around Veterans Memorial Lake, officially installed the bench in March. 

"It's positioned at an angle for a great view of the lake under the shade," Joe explained. 

The bench has now become a beloved addition to Veterans Memorial Lake, embodying the Clarks' deep affection for their community and the outdoors. 

"Don't worry," Nel added with a chuckle. "We make sure everyone knows our son made it."