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North Little Rock notebook

Park, golf-course facility rents rise

The North Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department has raised the fees it charges for its rental facilities at Burns Park, the Burns Park Golf Course and the former Stone Links Golf Course.

The increases took effect Jan. 18.

Parks Director Terry Hartwick said rental fees haven't been raised in three years, while updates have been completed at each building in the past year.

Rental fees for the Burns Park Hospitality House rose by $15 to $215 for daytime rental and by $25 to $250 for evening rentals. All-day rentals will be $430, a $30 increase.

The Burns Park Heritage Room on the golf course is $115 to rent during the day, up $15, and $150 for evenings Monday-Thursday, a $25 increase. Friday-Sunday rentals are $140 for days and $175 for evenings, increases of $15 and $25, respectively.

The rental fee for the Stone Links Club House on the former Stone Links Golf Course is $275, up $25, for an all-day rental, with no separate day-evening rentals offered.

Promotion agency gives director raise

The North Little Rock Advertising and Promotion Commission approved a 3 percent pay increase for Executive Director Bob Major, raising his annual salary to $80,500.

The commission oversees the operation and finances of the North Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, which includes the North Little Rock Visitors Center in Burns Park.

Commissioners approved the raise at their quarterly meeting last week.

Major was not included in a 2 percent raise for city government staff members and administrators that was included in this year's general fund budget.

The Advertising and Promotion Commission is primarily funded by a portion of taxes collected on hotel room rentals and prepared-food sales. The city's Parks and Recreation Department receives the majority of those tax funds.

Major has been the commission's executive director since 2012.

Public can comment on playground plan

A public-comment period will last through Feb. 17 on the North Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department's tentative approval of naming an "all-inclusive" playground planned for Burns Park as One Heart Playground.

The Parks and Recreation Commission voted Jan. 17 to approve the recommended name. After the 30-day public-comment period, final approval can be voted upon at the commission's next regularly scheduled meeting Feb. 21.

The planned park will include equipment for use by children with disabilities.

Such a public, inclusive playground is needed because one isn't available in North Little Rock, city Parks Director Terry Hartwick said.

"We don't have anything in the way of a special-needs park," Hartwick said in an interview. "And it's not necessarily limited to a child in a wheelchair, but what if a parent is in a wheelchair who wants to be there with their child?"

The idea came about last year after Hartwick met Emma Wasson, now 4, the daughter of Kenny and Jerilyn Wasson. Emma has a congenital heart defect and Turner's syndrome, Hartwick said.

"When I met Emma, I understood it better," Hartwick said. "Children like her and their parents should have the opportunity to play in a park and to participate on rides."

The Wassons have been instrumental in a fundraising process for the playground, which has raised about $30,000 from donations and from a concert held in July, according to information presented to commissioners.

The playground is to be open by May in a shaded area behind the indoor tennis center at Burns Park, Hartwick said.

Metro on 01/25/2017

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