Mayor Jerry Jackson said, “I want to thank so many people. One thing we have learned with our downtown park and splash pad – this is the best thing the City has ever done for the amount of money spent. That has been a huge hit.”

“Parks Director Chuck Eddington has been talking about doing the same thing out here, on this end of town. We know there are a lot of kids in this area who can’t get downtown,” Jackson said. “We are excited to bring this to the neighborhood and all the people who come to the Sports Complex for baseball and softball games.”

Eddington partnered with Chelsey Weaver at the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District (NWAEDD).

Eddington said, “We received a matching grant for $150,000. Then we approached Kiwanis, and they donated $100,000 to make it a $400,000 project.”

Jackson added, “This project is a three-way partnership between the Kiwanis, NWAEDD and the City. A lot of the City’s part will be in-kind services, which our staff can provide.”

“I’m very excited to have an all-inclusive playground and splash pad here at the Equity Bank Sports Complex,” Jackson said. “This is a great example of a partnership between the state, Kiwanis, and the city.”

Kiwanis president, Kyle Mallett, said, “We are excited. Kids are what we are all about. This is a great way to give back to our community. This complex is filled with kids year-round. It’s a great way to give the kids who don’t play baseball or softball something to do. And it will be a safe environment with lights during the evenings. When Chuck approached us, we were able to make it bigger and better with his grant and our money.” 

Mayor Jackson said, “That $100,000 from Kiwanis is huge.”

“It is a commitment, but our community and our club are all about it.”

Eddington said COO/Engineer Wade Phillips helped us with the design and hookup to our existing facilities.

“Wade and our Public Works Department allowed us to save money,” Jackson said. “This goes to in-kind services for our part of the match.”

“This is a perfect example of how to do something big with a partnership and with our own staff doing some of the work,” Jackson said.

“I think this shows that we truly are a community. The City works with civic organizations to improve things. We want our community to be the best it can be,” Mallett said.

Hours will be daylight until the park curfew at 10 p.m. The desire is to open the park in a couple of months.

Eddington told the Parks Advisory Committee that eight additional handicapped spaces had been designated, and the entrance area has been widened to allow easier access. Cars will not be allowed through that entrance, but wheelchairs and strollers will have easy access. The playground and splash pad will be open even if no games are scheduled.