Governor Sanders Announces $4.34 Million to Support Local Recreation Facilities
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that the
Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism is awarding $4.34 million in Outdoor Recreation Grants to projects within 29 counties across the state. The grants fall into two categories: Facilities for Underdeveloped Neighborhoods (FUN) Park grants and matching grants.
“My administration is looking for any opportunity to get kids and
families off screens and outdoors. It’s a priority for our whole
state,” said Governor Sanders. “This year’s multi-million-dollar
investment in playgrounds, park facilities, and more will provide added
amenities to communities from the Delta to the Ozarks. It’s all part
of my goal to make Arkansas the best state in America to live, work, and
raise a family.”
“The Outdoor Recreation Grants Program (ORGP) has provided $52.6
million in matching grants since 1988 and $16.4 million in FUN Park
grants since 1991,” said Secretary Shea Lewis. “These funds have
undoubtedly enriched the quality of life for Arkansans statewide,
fostering greater access to outdoor recreation and bolstering the
vitality of local economies.”
These awards have helped cities and counties develop public outdoor
recreation facilities.
“Our team works tirelessly throughout the year to provide more access
to the outdoors for Arkansans through this grant program,” said
Katherine Andrews, Director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
“It’s amazing to see the positive impact that even minor investments
in neighborhood parks can have on a community,” said Matt McNair,
director of the ORGP. “Visiting a community after one of our park
projects has been completed can be absolutely stunning.”
Project officers make recommendations regarding the feasibility of
proposed facilities, eligibility for grant monies and other facets of
the planning process. Each year, nearly 200 site visits are conducted
to assist local communities.
The 2024 matching grant recipients are:
* Alma (Crawford County) to install play equipment, construct a
restroom facility, and provide amenities and access at Christello Park.
– $210,000.00
* Camden (Ouachita County) to install inclusive play equipment and
accessibility improvements at Carnes Park. – $210,000.00
* Crawford County – to construct a walking trail and associated
accessibility improvements at Diamond Center Complex. – $135,705.00
* Daisy (Pike County) – to install new play equipment and improve
accessibility at Daisy City Park. – $24,857.00
* Delaplaine (Greene County) – to construct a basketball facility,
ballfield fencing,, ballfield seating (incl. shade structure), access
(incl. pedestrian bridge), and accessible parking at Delaplaine City
Park. – $73,300.00
* Forrest City (St. Francis County) – to provide access to restroom
and programming facilities (priority), and other access and amenity
improvements as funds allow (optional) at Dennis Memorial Park. –
$62,241.40
* Hot Springs (Garland County) – to construct a bicycle playground
at Velocity Park. – $80,000.00
* Huntsville (Madison County) – to construct a splashpad, restroom
facility, drinking fountains, and associated accessibility improvements
in Madison County Walking Trail Park – $210,000.00
* Magnolia (Columbia County) – to install play equipment and park
amenities, upgrade pavilion, and construct safety and accessibility
improvements at East Side City Park. – $100,650.00
* Mineral Springs (Howard County) – to repair and upgrade concession
stand and restroom facilities and install bleachers at Bridgeman Park.
– $30,500.00
* Newport (Jackson County) – to improve accessibility and safety
through parking and sidewalk repair/redesign/paving and install new play
equipment at George Kell Park. – $74,176.00
* Ozark (Franklin County) – for compliance and safety upgrades to
the restroom facility (priority) and pavilion, amenity, and splashpad
upgrades at West Side Park (optional if funds remain) – $80,000.00
* Pea Ridge (Benton County) – to construct an all-inclusive play
facility at North Curtis Avenue Park. – $210,000
* Scott County – to construct pickleball and basketball courts,
install park amenities, and improve/upgrade pavilion, soccer field, and
accessibility at Sodie Davidson Park in Waldron. – $90,000.00
* Searcy (White County) – to install field lighting at Searcy Soccer
Complex and provide ADA-compliant play equipment at Berryhill Park. –
$125,000.00
* Searcy County – to repair and refurbish the pool, restrooms, and
concession facility at Searcy County Civic Center and improve seating,
accessibility, and lighting at Civic Center ballfields. – $110,936.60
* Sherwood (Pulaski County) – to construct a restroom and basketball
facility, install signage, lighting, and park amenities, and improve
accessibility and safety at Lake Cherrywood Park. – $210,000.00
* West Memphis (Crittenden County) – to purchase and install play
equipment, provide access, improve safety, and upgrade the pavilion in
Hicks Park. – $210,000.00
The 2024 FUN Park grant recipients are:
* Ash Flat (Sharp County) – to construct a new pavilion and to
install lighting and accessibility features at Ash Flat Ball Park. –
$100,000.00
* Calhoun County – to light and resurface existing walking trail at
Woodberry Park. – $99,000.00
* Calico Rock (Izard County) – to improve accessibility and install
ballfield lighting and ballfield retaining wall at Earl King Park. –
$99,888.00
* Cove (Polk County) – to install new play equipment, park
amenities, and accessibility improvements at Cove Memorial Park. –
$100,000.00
* Crawfordsville (Crittenden County) – to construct a pavilion,
walking trail, and accessibility features at Old School Yard Park and to
construct a new play area, basketball facility, and accessibility features at Boone Street Park. – $100,000.00
* Egypt (Craighead County) – to install play equipment, outdoor
exercise equipment, pavilion, walking track, and accessibility features
in Egypt City Park. – $100,000.00
* England (Lonoke County) – to replace outdated play equipment and
construct accessibility features at Elm Street Park. – $97,470.00
* Franklin (Izard County) – to install new play equipment, refurbish
existing play equipment, and construct accessibility features at
Franklin City Park. – $100,000.00
* Glenwood (Pike County) – to construct a new play area and walkways
at John Benjamin Lake Park. – $99,430.00
* Grubbs (Jackson County) – to install new play equipment, park
amenities, and to improve access at Grubbs City Park. – $100,000.00
* Independence County – To install new play equipment and improve
access at Desha Park. – $100,000.00
* Jericho (Crittenden County) – to install new play equipment,
grills, park amenities, and to improve access at Jericho Town Park. –
$100,000.00
* Keiser (Mississippi County) – to install new play equipment and
park amenities at Keiser City Park. – $100,000.00
* Madison County – to install new play equipment and improve access
at Wesley Community Park. – $100,000.00
* McNeil (Columbia County) – to construct a play area, pavilion,
accessibility features, and to install park amenities at McNeil City
Park. – $99,430.00
* Newton County – to construct a walking trail, pavilion, seating,
play area, and accessibility features at Parthenon Community Park. –
$100,000.00
* Ozan (Hempstead County) – to install new play area, basketball
facility, accessibility features, and park amenities at Ozan Park. –
$100,000.00
* Pyatt (Marion County) – to construct a new play area, fencing,
accessibility features, seating, and to repair the basketball facility
at Pyatt Downtown Park. – $100,000.00
* Searcy County – to install playground equipment and to construct a
pavilion, walking trail, seating, and accessibility improvements in
Witts Springs Community Park. – $100,000.00
* Traskwood (Saline County) – to construct a new play area and
access improvements in Traskwood City Park. – $97,700.00
* Viola (Fulton County) – to construct a new play area and access
improvements in Viola City Park. – $100,000.00.
