When Mayor Kurt Maddox took office in 2015, Gravette had just one playground, which was in need of attention.
The playground got its facelift, but that was hardly the end of Gravette’s improvements.
Maddox unveiled a vision to upgrade the existing park and enhance recreational and fitness opportunities by expanding the city’s park and sidewalk/trail system.
Voters overwhelmingly approved bond funding for a proposal that included establishing a citywide trail system, development of Hiwasse Park, adding soccer fields at Pop Allum Park, development of Old Town Park, upgrading the community pool and installing a splash park.
These projects were made possible thanks to more than $1million in grants, private donations and private partnerships and voter support that approved a 2016 bond measure providing $6.25 million.
A 1.4-mile walking and biking trail was completed in the heart of Gravette, with engineers putting in an additional 1.25 miles, with an additional 6,400 feet of linear sidewalk being installed over the past few years.
Pop Allum Park has been home to several baseball fields. Four soccer fields of varying sizes—the first in the Gravette, Bella Vista, Sulphur Springs and Centerton area—were added in 2018. More sidewalk was part of this phase of the project, linking users to the Gravette nature trail. A playground was added this year in the heart of the park.
Old Town Park has long had a place in Gravette, but it was primarily a grassy, natural space. In 2015 the city negotiated the purchase of 1.7 acres of neighboring property to expand the park. With help from a partnership with a local nonprofit, the city was able to install a playground, swing set, restroom, pavilion and shade sails, along with a .10-mile loop trail around the perimeter and a toddler area in the works.
In 2018, Gravette pool got a refreshed deck area and a completely remodeled bathhouse. The city added a 3,000-SF splash park with multiple water features, several small slides and water jets.
The pool drew more than 9,000 guests in 2019, and it hosts senior swim, private swim lessons, pool and company parties. Realtors frequently note the pool and splash park proximity as a selling point.
Gravette believes in the health and wellness of its citizens but also that of its employees. The city relocated exercise equipment from a firehouse bay to a vacant building, making fitness opportunities available to city employees and their spouses.
Funding for the various projects came from a variety of sources, including the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP), the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, private donations, the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Outdoor Recreation Grants Program, local nonprofits and local businesses.
The city of Gravette has made wellness, fitness and recreation a priority, which improves the quality of life of its citizens. The parks and trail system is one of the most comprehensive for a city of its size, and the overall improvements contribute to housing starts and commercial investments as people realize Gravette offers recreational, wellness and fitness amenities equal to those of larger communities.
Gravette’s approach can be replicated by towns of any size if they are willing to pursue grants and local contributions for support. Gravette will continue its efforts to provide recreational and wellness opportunities within its borders.
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