Governor Haley Barbour, First Lady Marsha Barbour and others announced the opening of the 1,750 feet-long Sky Lake Boardwalk in West Central Mississippi near Belzoni.

It meanders through, what experts say, are “some of the largest and oldest cypress trees that remain on earth and they have international scientific significance.”  These ancient trees can be seen from a beautiful boardwalk through the forest canopy.  Some of the largest trees adjacent to the board walk are over 16 feet in diameter, over 46 feet in circumference and are over 1,000 years old. At least two of the trees along the boardwalk each contain enough lumber to build 5 or 6 medium-sized homes.

“Rarely does a First Lady have the unique privilege of seeing a dream come true in her state. As Chair of Wildlife Mississippi’s Advisory Council, I had the opportunity to be in on the ground level of this amazing project. It has exceeded my expectations. The formally hidden treasure of these ancient forest giants is now easily accessible, making it possible for generations of Mississippians and tourists to appreciate and enjoy their beauty and grandeur,” said Marsha Barbour.

According to Clarke Reed, Chairman of Wildlife Mississippi, “The extreme scarcity of old-growth cypress forests only heightens the value of Sky Lake as an educational resource and tourist draw for the citizens of Mississippi and this nation.”

In addition to the boardwalk, also constructed were restrooms, an amphitheater, a pavilion with picnic tables, a walking track and a canoe/kayak trail through the ancient cypress. The canoe/kayak trail will be available for use in February after the winter rains. Interpretative signs exist all along the boardwalk.

Wildlife Mississippi played a key role in promoting the acquisition of Sky Lake and constructed the Sky Lake Boardwalk.

The project was a cooperative effort by Wildlife Mississippi, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, the Federal Highway Administration and the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Levee Board. The project was designed by Pryor & Morrow Architects and built by David Smith Construction.

For more information and directions, go to www.skylakemississippi.org. DBJ