New park dedicated to memory of Royce Johnson

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

— An old adage says, “The mark of a man is in the legacy he leaves behind.” This is certainly true of the man whose name was given to Decatur’s newest park, The Royce Johnson Memorial Park.

Royce Johnson, along with his wife, Jean, were long-time residents of Decatur and very community oriented. He served as president of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce for many years. He also served on the Decatur City Council and the Decatur School Board, among other posts.

There was one little piece of land that Johnson particularlyloved. It was a parcel on 7th Street between Hill and Buckner, across the street from his home on Hill. He mowed this piece of property for Virginia Brown, the owner, for years.

When the property came on the market several years ago, Johnson convinced the city to buy it and turn it into a park. When the deal fell through, he was heartbroken. He died in 2011, not realizing his dream of the little tract of land he so diligently cared for becoming a park.

In June, the property became available once again. Decatur’s mayor, Charles Linam, approached the city council for approval to acquire the land for a city park on the east side oftown. He received the council’s approval and immediately went to work to acquire funds to purchase the land.

Linam approached State Senator Jim Hendren for help with the funding project. Hendren suggested applying for a GIF grant from the State of Arkansas.

The grants are funded from Arkansas surplus funds left over when the current assembly ended. Each state representative was given an allotment from this fund, and it was up to each representative to fi nd projects within their district to fund. Hendren put the Decatur park project on his list.

Linam applied for the grant through the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and, by early September, it was approved.

Once the check was in hand, Linam contacted the owner of the property, Joe Gibbons, and worked out a deal for the purchase. In early October the deal was sealed.

Before the land was even acquired, Linam had already picked the name for the park. He wanted to reveal the name at the dedication to surprise the family, but word got to the family, eliminating the element of surprise.

The park was cleaned up and two dead trees removed. No other tree removal is planned for thepark. It is intact almost as Johnson had left it.

At 6 p.m. on Oct. 22, in front of a large gathering of family, friends and dignitaries, including Senator Hendren, the cover over the sign was removed, revealing the now-dedicated Royce Johnson Memorial Park.

The next phase of development for Johnson Park is to build a gravel parking area. The lot will be located on 7th Street between Hill and Buckner.

The last phase will be the acquisition and construction of play equipment and picnic tables. The mayor is asking for donations to complete the project. Joe Gibbons and several others have already donated to the park equipment fund. Any one wishing to donate can do so through city hall.

With the opening of Johnson Park, the people on the east side of Decatur finally have a place to go without having to cross Arkansas Highway 59 to access the old city park. They now have a quiet, picturesque setting,free from traffic and train noise.

Johnson Park promises to be a nice place for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon family outing or a quiet retreat for meditation and personal refl ection.

News, Pages 1 on 10/30/2013