DECATUR -- The conference room at Decatur City Hall was filled to near capacity June 4 as citizens attended a public hearing on a pair of proposed improvements to the city's main park.
Mayor Bob Tharp called the hearing to get citizen feedback on a new walking trail and a water park splash pad at Veterans Park in Decatur. The public hearing was part of the application process for a grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
The city is in the process of applying for a 50/50 grant from Parks and Tourism. This grant allows the city to collect a dollar from Parks and Tourism for every dollar it spends on the projects. The grant will be used for purchasing the outdoor recreation equipment and other materials needed to complete both projects. The application for this grant is due in August.
Cassie Elliot, city grant writer, presented the proposal to those in attendance at the public hearing. She related that other cities in our immediate area have received a similar grant for improvement to their park systems.
"One of Gravette's parks just received a facelift made possible through this type of grant from Parks and Tourism which they applied for last year," Elliot stated. "Gravette just received another grant this year to start on Old Town Park and make some improvements to the Hiwasse Park. Springdale has also applied for this grant for a similar type of splash pad as the one we (Decatur) are looking at."
The proposed walking trail would cover the perimeter of Veterans Park, a distance of just over one mile. The city has applied for two grants from the Blue and New Foundation, a part of Blue Cross, Blue Shield, for the walking trail in the past three years but was turned down both times.
The splash pad will be used to keep kids (and adults) cool during summer events like the Decatur Barbecue, as well as family outings to the park.
The cost of both projects has yet to be determined.
No objections were raised during the hearing. However, the city is still looking for comments from Decatur citizens. To make comments or for more information, contact the Decatur city clerk's office at 479-752-3912.
General News on 06/19/2019