FAYETTEVILLE — Artwork and signs could be added to the many sights on Fayetteville's trails and parks.
The Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Division plans to build kiosks to display public art at two locations on its primary north-south spine.
And signs recognizing park donors or significant volunteers could also soon be regular features in parks and trails.
The Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board selected Gordon Long Park and the end of the Frisco Trail at Prospect Street as the two locations to erect 6-square-foot kiosks.
"This would be very visible to the public," said Connie Edmonston, Fayetteville Parks and Recreation director. "One thing we want to do is make it visible so that everyone could keep their eye on it."
They'll be built much like the existing map signage so that artwork -- to be selected by the Fayetteville Arts Council -- can be safely mounted behind a clear plastic covering.
"It could eventually lead into some type of contest," Edmonston added, offering the idea of using the kiosks to display children's artwork.
"This is great idea," said Craig Mauritson, who is chairman of the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
The advisory board also endorsed a proposed change to Fayetteville's sign ordinance which would allow signs recognizing corporate donors, individuals or other groups who have made significant contributions to a park, recreation facility or trail. The move is to allow the parks and recreation division more flexibility when it comes to fundraising, Edmonston said.
Signs on trails could be no larger than 4 square feet and signs in parks could be no larger than 16 square feet, according to a draft of the proposed amendment to Fayetteville's sign ordinance. The change will be considered at the next meeting of the Fayetteville City Council, and requires council approval for official passage.
The overall design of the sign would be approved by the Fayetteville Planning Commission. It cannot include corporate slogans or colors, though a corporate logo is allowed.
It's not clear what size donation earns a recognition sign. Park officials say they'd like to make that determination on a case-by-case basis.
"If we're going to allow a 2 (foot) by 2 (foot) sign, it's got to be something substantial," Mauritson said.
Other parks board members worried about the encroachment of advertising in public spaces generally free of commercial messages.
"You go to a park, or you're on the trail, you want to forget about everything else," said Valerie Biendara, a member of the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
"We don't want billboards everywhere," Edmonston said.
"I'm trying to make sure that when people go to a park, they're not slapped in the face with all kinds of brand names," Biendara added.