Final Old Town Park Steps Are In Place

— Inmates from the Sheriff’s Work Detail are shown completing work this past week on the steps leading down into Old Town Park.

The project began last year and work was curtailed during the winter months and until inmates could be scheduled to complete the job. Donations from individuals and GHS alumni, classes and businesses paid for the materials to replace the deteriorated historic steps which were originally constructed during the 1930s depression.

Public Works Director Junior Hartley adopted the project which had been promoted by The News Herald in an effort to retain the historical significance of the steps.

Gravette Day activities, then called The Gravette Picnic, were held in Old Town Park for many years.According to Dan Yates, President of the Chamber of Commerce, the aim is to return many of the festivities to that location in future years.

Presently the park is an ideal picnic spot with a seasonal brook, Walnut Creek, running through the valley. The park was part of Nebo, an early-day community that preceded the founding of Gravett(e) in 1893.

News, Pages 1 on 07/07/2010