Fort Smith · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Fort Smith public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Tilles Park splash pad
The city will spend about $1 million on a new, larger splash pad at Tilles Park, replacing a cheaply built one from a prior administration that would otherwise need a $150,000 mechanical retrofit. The old pad becomes a basketball court.
Maybranch Greenway connection approved as sharrows
The city was set to accept a $2.44 million federal grant to build the first phase of the May Branch Railroad Trail connecting Martin Luther King Jr. Park to the river levee trails — with an equal city match.
Maybranch Greenway within Levee Improvement District No. 1
A proposed one-mile concrete trail segment crossing levee district land was rejected 3-1, with the no vote citing lifetime maintenance costs; supporters say it's a planned, grant-funded trail with no new flood risk. It returns November 17.
Parrot Island Water Park Finances
Resident Patrick McGuire warned the water park is heading toward insolvency, projecting a $307,000+ year-end operating loss the city must cover under its contract, with attendance down 3,326 visitors.
Cisterna Park Project
The board is planning a major renovation of Cisterna Park, possibly incorporating the General Darby statue and monument elements from Cisterna, Italy, and other Darby-connected towns. New concepts from MAHG architects are expected in early October, with costs possibly around $1 to $1.5 million.
Butterfield Trail Monument
A life-size stagecoach-and-horses sculpture honoring the late Judge Jim Spears will be installed within about 90 days, with all engineering, foundation, and material costs now covered through donations and a new CBID contribution.
Future of Deer Trails Golf Course
The board declined to buy the golf course but showed interest in rezoning it so it can only be used as a golf course — a way to preserve the amenity without a public purchase. Residents were split, with some opposing any city takeover of a money-losing operation.
Honorary street designations for Madison Marsh and Judge Jim Spears
The Board was set to name parts of Gary Street and Riverfront Drive after Fort Smith figures: Miss America and Air Force officer Madison Marsh, and the late Judge Jim Spears, who helped land the U.S. Marshals Museum.
Creekmore Park Tennis Center operations
The Western Arkansas Tennis Association, which has run the city tennis center since 2003, was in line for a new five-year agreement to keep operating it.
Girl Scouts Artwork at Creekmore Pumphouse
The city hired MAHG Architecture for $145,520 to design the pool pump house renovation at Creekmore Park, paid from the 1/8% parks sales tax.
Operation of Kelley Ballfields Complex
The city sought proposals to run the Kelley Ballfields Complex, and only the existing youth baseball/softball group applied. A recommendation to the Board of Directors was expected on whether to keep the lease arrangement going.
Creekmore Park tennis court rebuild
The Western Arkansas Tennis Association, the Tennis Center's operator since 2003, was the only bidder to continue running it. The commission was set to recommend to the Board whether to enter a new agreement.
Cisterna Park Pump House restoration
The city will raise the old pump house five feet instead of rebuilding it, protecting staff from floodwater-and-electricity hazards. But the donated Yantis family fountain is leaking, and a proper fix could run about $45,000, so alternatives are being weighed.
Creekmore Park pool pump house renovation
The city hired MAHG Architecture for $145,520 to design the pool pump house renovation at Creekmore Park, paid from the 1/8% parks sales tax.
City interest in Fort Smith Cemeteries, Inc. properties
The private nonprofit running Roselawn, Holy Cross and Forest Park cemeteries has faced maintenance complaints and code liens in past years. The city could acquire and operate them like Oak Cemetery, but the nonprofit declined a sale to a private buyer and is currently meeting code standards. The tabled resolution returns July 21.
Bass Reeves Legacy Loop revised scope
The trail project funded by a federal RAISE/BUILD grant is being reshaped and won't be a full loop, but the city is keeping the grant by adjusting the scope.
Return of Leo Fondren Park to the Fondren family
The city planned to sell back donated park land it never developed at Harriet Avenue and Meyers Street to the donor's heir, Raymond Fondren.
Creekmore Park tennis court change order
The courts get 4-foot spectator fencing, new LED lights, bleachers, spectator seating and drainage fixes under a 120-day contract with Steve Beam, keeping four courts open during construction.
Cisterna Park Darby Rangers memorial during pumphouse construction
The family behind the Darby Rangers memorial says construction trashed their landscaping and rocks, and briefly feared the custom WWII memorial door was lost. Staff confirmed the door is stored safely and agreed to address contractor site practices.
John Bell Jr. Park amenities and safety
A resident who hosted an event for people with disabilities flagged missing benches, no tables under the pavilion, vandalism, strobing police lights that could trigger seizures, and unfenced access to a busy road. Staff committed to asphalt millings flooring, bleachers, and parking stops.
Cemetery operations update
Directors asked for a future update on Rose Lawn, Holy Cross, and Forrest Park cemeteries.
Regional Art Museum expansion plan
The museum, at the gateway to the district, is pursuing national accreditation and an $8–10 million expansion, testing a $15 million fundraising goal with a feasibility study due in September.
Farmers market solar canopies and stagecoach statue
The district board voted 5-3 to spend up to $13,000 on color-changing LED lights under the new solar canopies, replacing the planned Garrison Avenue bridge lighting. Supporters say it's more visible and can be themed for downtown events; police want lighting and cameras there to deter loitering.
Riley Farm Park trail bridges redesign
Replacing 300 feet of pedestrian bridges proved wildly expensive, so staff are eliminating a flood-prone section and pricing concrete culverts or playground-ramp bridges instead. Neighbors will get letters and meetings on how to spend remaining funding.
Former ACME Brick property redevelopment master plan
The city is working through the design of stormwater mitigation ponds tied to the ACME Brick site. The engineering agreement amendment gets a vote on April 21, which keeps the flood-mitigation project moving.
Levitt AMP Free Concert Series
The board was set to approve a $20,000 agreement with Main Street Fort Smith to administer the 2026 Levitt AMP Music Series grant — the free downtown concert series residents enjoy each year.
Parrot Island Waterpark waterslide construction
The Board was scheduled to consider a budget amendment and a $1.74 million no-bid contract with Royal Ridge Construction to install new waterslides at Parrot Island Waterpark. The contract was flagged as not budgeted, so the funding source matters to taxpayers.
Methodist Village connector trail to Carol Ann Cross Park
A $196,000 federal TAP grant will fund a safe, ADA-accessible trail connecting Methodist Village Senior Living residents and nearby neighborhoods to Carol Ann Cross Park. The city will hold a public trail easement, and the commission recommends paying design costs from park-restricted cell tower fees.
Creekmore pool diving boards and gutter upgrades
New diving boards (installed this morning) and slip-resistant HDPE gutter grating will be ready before summer — the first diving well access since COVID.
Parrot Island Waterpark lease and management
The board balked at the county's proposed lease terms and wants a counter-offer drafted. The management contract with American Resort Management runs only through March 31, 2026 while RFP responses are reviewed, and waterslide construction costs head to the January 20 agenda.
Downtown parks improvements
The Compass Park splashpad fence came in under $10,000 (reducing the district's share), the Cisterna Park pumphouse gets raised five feet out of flood risk with bids opening next week, and the downtown fountain should be working again by summer.
Miss Laura's Brothel Museum renovations
The historic museum needs siding and molding replacement; the board had no objection to seeking bids for the work.