Parks growing : Annual report details addition of three new parks in 2007
Posted on Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Three new parks we re added to Fayetteville's park inventory in 2007, according to the annual report approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Monday.
The report highlighted the accomplishments made over the year, which included the completion of Harmony Pointe Park on West Milliken Bend in August, the opening of Salem Park on West Marsh Street in October and the opening of the 8-acre Dale Clark Park on North Rupple Road in December.
Improvements were made to existing parks, including the installment of energy efficient lighting at the Walker Park tennis and basketball courts. The technology uses less energy to provide the same quality of lighting, which reduces energy costs.
While the old system utilized an average of 84 kilowatts, the new technology uses 50 kilowatts. Parks and Recreation staff estimate the new lighting system will result in a savings of $ 23, 000 over a five-year period.
Two rain gardens were installed, one at Gulley Park and one at Walker Park, through a partnership between the Illinois Watershed Partnership, Washing- ton County Extension Service, Beaver Water District and the Arkansas Forestry Commission.
Arkansas Parks and Tourism Outdoor Recreation awarded a 50 / 50 matching grant of $ 100, 000 for improvements to Sweetbriar and Davis Parks.
An estimated 69, 900 people participated in or attended a Parks and Recreation program or special event in 2007.
Attendance at the Wilson Park Swimming Pool was down slightly from 2006. While 20, 459 people used the pool in 2006, 20, 177 took advantage in 2007.
Participation was up in adult slowpitch softball, youth slowpitch softball, youth soccer league and youth summer camps.
There was a decline in 2007 in participation in adult flag football, Walker and White River baseball and adult women soccer.
About 30, 000 people attended the Red, White and Boom fireworks show and concerts at Baum Stadium on July 4 and 9, 150 people attended the Gulley Park Summer Concert Series.
Other accomplishments included the recognition of Lake Fayetteville Park as an outstanding facility by the Southwest Regional of National Recreation and Parks Association and Fayetteville Natural Heritage as the volunteer group of the year.
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