Oct 24, 2023 - News

Walton Enterprises: No connection between land purchases and Buffalo River coalition

Worth Sparkman

A couple look out from Sam's Throne in Newton County during wintertime. Photo courtesy of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.

Tied up with the controversy of the Buffalo National River is speculation that the Walton family wants to capitalize on a national park and preserve designation.

Driving the news: The Madison County Record first reported that limited liability company Kings Creek has been buying land near the headwaters of the Buffalo River, south of Kingston.

Kings Creek is controlled by Walton Enterprises Inc., a business and philanthropic office of the Walton family.

Land purchases in recent years have added to a longtime ownership stake, and the family now owns about 6,000 contiguous acres, the newspaper reported.

Yes, but: A spokesperson for Walton Enterprises told Axios the purchases have nothing to do with the Coalition for the Future of the Buffalo National River.

He said the family has no plans for development of the land.

Go deeper: Buffalo National River town hall set for Thursday

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Walton Enterprises: No connection between land purchases and Buffalo River coalition

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