Page 35 - 2026 VB Community Profile

QUALITY OF PLACE

The community center is a key part of funding, it may prove necessary to Smaller parks and recreation areas
the updated plan. A “conceptual” plan improve certain aspects or portions of are also found throughout the area. Mike
shows a 61,755-square-foot center that a park or parks on varying timelines,” Meyer Park sits along the Arkansas River
would include an indoor swimming pool according to the plan report. “During next to the city’s historic wall mural.
with spectator seating, a splash pad for these developments, a more focused Originally painted by Van Buren High
children, classrooms, community room and detail-oriented approach will take School students in the 1980s, the artwork
for 450 people, indoor pickleball courts, place. It is important to remember gives a glimpse into the area’s rich
basketball and volleyball courts, an indoor that this plan is designed to create a history. Nearby Lee Creek Park boasts
running track, and a concession area. framework for design opportunities and 104 acres along the riverfront, making it
The estimated cost for the conceptual should not act as an inhibitor to future the city’s largest park. It is a popular spot
community center is $34.203 million. ideas and developments as they arise. for fishing or launching watercraft.
Hurst also said some park Adjustments to the plan can, and will, Additional recreation areas include
improvements have been made, and be necessary to achieve future parks the Chad and Betty Ann Colley
they are working on a dog park. “We improvements.” Wilderness Park and Van Zandt Park.
have recently resurfaced a basketball Parks Located in the Rolling Hills Subdivision,
court inside the City Park, next to the Van Buren residents have access to Van Zandt is a small neighborhood park
Boys and Girls Club. The dog park is the a vast system of parks and recreation with a large open area, basketball court,
first park we’re working on from the new areas. The Dr. Louis Peer Memorial and two pickle ball courts.
parks master plan,” Hurst explained. Park includes playground equipment Freedom Park in downtown Van
The completion date for the dog park for children of all ages including slides, Buren and Peer Memorial Park are
has not yet been determined. The dog swings, jungle gyms and more. Picnics favorite holiday stops. The two
park will be funded by a combination of and parties are easy to be had and areas light up during the Christmas
city funds and donations from the Rotary pavilions are available for public use. A season, with downtown featuring the
Club. large disc golf course is located within illuminated Freedom Tree, and the city
“The Rotary Dog Park will be the the park, as well as basketball courts and park hosting a drive-through musical
first dog park in the city,” Hurst added. other amenities. light display.
“We’ve listened to citizens’ requests,
and we want to make sure we provide it
for them and their puppies.”
The introduction to the updated
master plan provides an outline of the
process history.
“The city of Van Buren, through the
oversight of the Parks and Recreation
Commission, engaged MAHG
Architecture Inc. to guide in updating
the vision and goals for the city’s parks
and recreational programs,” noted the
updated report.
“In 2015, the city adopted the Parks
and Recreation Master Plan developed
by CEI. The 2015 master plan highlighted
various immediate needs (zero to two Strength is
years), near-term needs (three to five
years), and long-term needs (six to 10
years). Many of those immediate and
near-term needs outlined have been No Accident
accomplished, necessitating additional
guidance for shaping the city of Van
Buren’s parks currently as well as in the Consistently recognized as one of
future.”
The report also provides an outline of America’s strongest banks.
how the city plans to move forward with
plan objectives.
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vanburenchamber.org Van Buren Chamber 2026 Community Profile 35