Council Considers Name For New Highway

PRAIRIE GROVE —A city committee appointed to recommend a new name for U.S. 62 from the eastern edge of Prairie Grove to its western boundary line will go back to the drawing board after fire Chief J.C. Dobbs objected to a proposed name.

The committee recommended naming U.S. 62, which includes the new section of highway, Battlefield Parkway.

Dobbs said he believes the name Battlefield Parkway could be confusing with another city street, Battlefield Park Road.

Dobbs said he would not “jump up and down” against the name but preferred something else. The committee, which includes aldermen Tony Cunningham, Doug Stumbaugh and Rick Clayton, made its recommendation at Prairie Grove City Council’s Dec. 15 meeting.

Mayor Sonny Hudson said 911 requested addresses for the new section of U.S. 62. City officials decided the best way to address the new section would be to give a new name to the entire stretch of highway from city limit to city limit, about 7 miles long. The new name will not affect U. S. 62- B going through town. These sections will remain as East Douglas, North Pittman and West Buchanan streets.

Cunningham said the committee decided on Battlefield because Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park is the main draw in the city and Parkway makes the road “sound a little nicer.” He said he had mentioned the idea to several residents and no one had any negative comments about it.

Clayton, though, said he believes the fire department and police department should approve of a new name and be comfortable with it.

Dobbs said his objection is based on safety.

“I understand it’s two different roads but they are close in name. I just have a fear that they would be too close in name for an emergency,” Dobbs said, noting Battlefield Park could show up on the address when the emergency actually was on Battlefield Parkway.

After the meeting, Stumbaugh said the committee considered three top choices, Battlefield Parkway, Veterans Drive or Heritage Drive, before deciding on Battlefield Parkway.

He said he figured the committee would go back and look at the other choices or consider some new ideas. Dobbs agreed to serve on the committee.