Springdale Gets $2 Million Grant For Turnbow Park

STAFF PHOTO J.T. Wampler Margarito Gonzalez prepares to cut concrete at Mill Street and Johnson Avenue.
STAFF PHOTO J.T. Wampler Margarito Gonzalez prepares to cut concrete at Mill Street and Johnson Avenue.

SPRINGDALE -- People visiting downtown Springdale will likely hear flowing water from Spring Creek in 2016.

The Walton Family Foundation approved a $2 million grant to pay for the second phase of Walter Turnbow Park, said Patsy Christie, city director of planning and community development. The second phase includes uncapping Spring Creek between Johnson Road and Emma Avenue with terracing down to the water.

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The grant isn't official, but probably will be next week, said Kevin Thornton, senior communications officer for the foundation. He said they're waiting on formalities such as signatures from officials. Christie said city officials are awaiting a signed letter, which will also have conditions on how the money can be spent.

The second phase of the park won't be bid until spring 2015, said Lisa Ray, vice president of the Downtown Springdale Alliance. Construction is under way on the first phase, which includes a portion of the Razorback Greenway and the park.

The cost of the first phase is a little more than $500,000, excluding the purchase of some buildings, Ray said. It should be finished by the end of December.

The new park should attract more people downtown, who will spend money in the area and help increase sales tax dollars going to the city, Ray said. The increase in money spent at businesses could attract other businesses downtown. Ray said she's received more calls recently from people who want to buy downtown property.

"I always call it a beautiful circle," she said.

The park and an increase in businesses could increase property value in the surrounding area, Ray said. Higher property value could mean an increase in money from property taxes for the city.

"All of these things are going to help the coffers of our city," she said.

The park will serve as a place for families to spend time downtown and will act as a destination on the trail system, said Mayor Doug Sprouse. Residents could have an increased sense of pride in their city, Ray said.

The creek, which will be uncapped with money from the grant, was covered and paved between 1973 and 1975, said Susan Young, outreach coordinator for Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. The creek was capped to help with flood control because heavy rain would cause it to overflow and flood parts of the downtown area.

Additional phases to the downtown revitalization project include uncapping the creek on the south side of Emma Avenue and building a splash pad and pavilion on that side of the street, Ray said. Officials won't be able to pursue those phases until after the park is finished in 2016.

NW News on 09/04/2014

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