Springdale park gets role in downtown’s future

SPRINGDALE — Luther George Park in the heart of Springdale has a facelift in its future.

A $642,638 grant from the Walton Family Foundation designated to jump-start implementation of the city’s downtown master plan will help pay for the park’s expansion and renovation.

“This park and nearby downtown green space is a key piece for downtown revitalization,” said Kelly Hale Syer, executive director of the Downtown Springdale Alliance. “We see this project as a true catalyst for the area, both in the near future and long term. It’s an investment in something that has the potential to impact generations to come.”

Some of the early ideas include a great lawn that would accommodate outdoor festivals and concerts, age-appropriate play areas, a dog park and enhancement of the natural environment around Spring Creek.

The alliance will be asking for public input.

Ecological Design Group, a landscape architect and civil engineering firm with an office in Rogers, developed an initial concept for connecting several spaces downtown. Luther George Park will be the first step, Syer said.

The grant will pay for travel and expenses for potential design firms to be interviewed and make presentations, she said. The money also will be used to design the improvements and pay for an “owner’s representative” to act as a project manager and advocate on behalf of the Downtown Springdale Alliance and city throughout the design process.

Syer said the alliance will seek additional money as well.

Springdale’s downtown master plan was adopted in December 2015. The area outlined in the plan is bordered by Huntsville Avenue to the north, Old Missouri Road on the east, Caudle Avenue on the south and Thompson Street on the west.

Syer anticipates an evolution toward a more urban style of housing with lofts and multifamily housing that capitalizes on the abundance of green space and promotes more walking and biking downtown.