Page 18 - 2024 Community Profile

QUALITY OF PLACE

Parks & Recreation

New Skate Park to Open in 2024

A project first proposed by a
group of Leadership Crawford County
participants is now nearing completion
and should be ready to unveil to the
community come spring 2024.
The Van Buren Skate Park will officially
open in late February or early March,
according to City of Van Buren Parks
Director Paul Dunn. American Ramp
Company, contractors for the project,
have noted that the new addition to
the city will be one of the nicest parks
in Arkansas.
“This has become a true community
effort,” Dunn said. “We held parks
meetings to determine the elements we
wanted to include in the plan. People
voted by placing dots on the pieces they
liked from the various designs we were
shown by the planning group.”
Theresa Bell, Misty Evans, Phillip
Faucette, Heather Hoffsommer, Kyle
Pierce, and Zach Throneberry comprised Rendering of new skate park opening in 2024. Photo Courtesy Van Buren Parks & Recreation.
the Leadership Crawford County group swings, jungle gyms and more. Picnics areas light up during the Christmas
that developed the idea for the park. and parties are easy to be had and season, with downtown featuring the
“They have been great to work with pavilions are available for public use. A illuminated Freedom Tree, and the city
through the design and construction large disc golf course is located within park hosting a drive-through musical
process,” Dunn explained. the park, as well as basketball courts and light display.
To make it useable at all times, the other amenities. Trails
park will be equipped with lighting. Smaller parks and recreation areas Van Buren has significantly invested in
“If people want to use it as a way to are also found throughout the area. its trails system and pedestrian walkways
wind down at night, or get some early Mike Meyer Park sits along the Arkansas over the past several years. Trails range
exercise, we wanted it to be available,” River next to the city’s historic wall mural. from gradual inclines to more rugged
Dunn added. “Since it is part of the Originally painted by Van Buren High mountain terrains. Some routes can be
City Park, there are picnic tables, a School students in the 1980s, the artwork found along the Arkansas River, city park,
playground and disc golf course nearby. gives a glimpse into the area’s rich Chaffee Crossing, or in the surrounding
It will add to the family-friendly function history. Nearby Lee Creek Park boasts state parks or nature centers.
of the park.” 104 acres along the riverfront, making it Usage of outdoor trails has been
Construction of the skate park will the city’s largest park. It is a popular spot
cost approximately $1.5 million. The for fishing or launching watercraft. heavily promoted by the Van Buren
School District (VBSD) as a way to help
project is funded entirely by the federal Additional recreation areas include the overall wellness of students and
American Rescue Plan Act. The park is the Chad and Betty Ann Colley families. VBSD has received more than
located on City Park Road adjacent to Wilderness Park and Van Zandt Park. $350,000 in grants to install new tracks
the Boys & Girls Club of Van Buren. Located in the Rolling Hills Subdivision,
Parks Van Zandt is a small neighborhood park and trails, as well as fitness equipment on
Van Buren residents have access to with a large open area, basketball court, campuses. To complete these projects,
a vast system of parks and recreation and two pickle ball courts. VBSD has partnered with both the city
and county. The walkways and outdoor
areas. The Dr. Louis Peer Memorial Freedom Park in downtown Van equipment are available to students
Park includes playground equipment Buren and Peer Memorial Park are during school hours and open to the
for children of all ages including slides, favorite holiday stops. The two public after hours.

18 Van Buren Chamber 2024 Directory vanburenchamber.org