FAYETTEVILLE — Thousands of residents visited parks, played in sports leagues and traveled city trails in 2013.

“We had one of the best years ever,” Connie Edmonston, Parks and Recreation director, said. “We’re trying to make a healthier community.”

An annual report approved Monday by members of the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board listed many of last year’s accomplishments. The nine-member board advises city officials on a range of policy issues affecting the Parks and Recreation Department.

The department’s 40 full-time employees are responsible for nearly 4,000 acres of land and lakes, 42 miles of trail, 27 pavilions, 23 playgrounds and even a model airplane airstrip, according to the annual report.

Perhaps the biggest parks news in 2013 was passage Nov. 12 of $3.5 million in bonds that will help pay for a regional park in southwest Fayetteville. The first phase of the $28 million project, off Cato Springs Road, includes eight soccer fields and at least three baseball diamonds, along with parking, restrooms, concessions and associated infrastructure. Construction is expected to begin by the end of the year.

Last year’s projects also included Mount Sequoyah Gardens work. A semi-circular arbor — a type of gazebo — is being built atop Mount Sequoyah where Summit Avenue meets Rodgers Drive, Oklahoma Way and Lighton Trail. The gardens can be used for picnics, weddings or just as a place to enjoy panoramic views. Construction is scheduled to wrap up early this year.

A $10,000 grant from the United States Tennis Association helped convert an aging tennis court at Wilson Park into four kids-sized courts. Construction also began on the second phase of a Wilson Park Pool facelift. The pool’s bath house, concessions building and pump house are being renovated for the first time in more than 30 years.

The number of people participating in recreational programs, such as volleyball, kickball and softball leagues, continued to climb in 2013. According to the annual report, 2,800 children played on youth soccer teams in 2013.

Parks employees plan to continue several popular programs in 2014, including the Gulley Park Summer Concert Series, the Lights of the Ozarks holiday display and two community gardens outside the Senior Activity and Wellness Center and Jefferson Adult Education Center. Residents can reserve one of 53 garden plots by contacting Lisa Netherland, city horticulturist, or attending a spring registration event March 2 at the senior center.

This year’s budget for capital improvements includes drainage repairs at the Lake Fayetteville Softball Complex, more parking at Veterans Memorial Park, renovations to the Parks and Recreation office on Happy Hollow Road and native grass planting at Lake Fayetteville.