Springdale Parks Itself Among Area’s Best In Recreation

Springdale has spent millions of dollars and devoted hours of manpower in recent years to building and improving recreational facilities.

In financing the extensive construction projects, Springdale used more than $10.5 million from its capital improvement budget, money that comes from a 1 percent city sales tax that’s been collected since August 1992.

“Anyone who has visited Springdale could only be encouraged by the efforts of our capital improvement program,” says Bill Rogers, director of economic development for the Springdale Chamber of Commerce. “Springdale is poised to grow.”

Don Bohannan, Springdale director of parks and recreation, is also proud of the town’s progress.

“Without [the capital improvement tax], these improvements wouldn’t have been possible at all,” Bohannan says. “

One improvement made by the city is the renovation of the Springdale Youth Center, which was completed in May 1997. The center now offers patrons two gymnasiums, an aerobic-and-dance room, a game room with pingpong and pool tables, and a fitness area complete with exercise machines and a jogging track. A basic yearly fee of $12 for children and $24 for adults allows patrons access to the center.

About $2.5 million was used to build the 3,500-SF youth center, Bohannan says.

Currently under construction, the Murphy Park aquatic center promises to deliver family entertainment next spring. By June 1, 2000, patrons should be able to access a new pool complex in Murphy Park on Maple Street.

“[The pool] will prove to be a real magnet for Springdale and surrounding areas,” Rogers says.

More than $4 million was allocated for the new pool complex from the capital improvement sales tax money, and that’s enough to allow for several different attractions. Three pools, covering more than 20,000 SF of water area, will make up the complex. Upon completion, the complex will be able to accommodate more than 1,200 people at one time, and each feature is designed to appeal to separate activity levels.

“We tried to design the area so it would fit all age groups,” Bohannan says.

Two wading pools were designed for young children and parents with toddlers, Springdale staff engineer Chris Brown says. Both wading pools are zero-depth entry, a popular pool attraction that features one end of the pool sloping gently down into the water, similar to a beach shore. Floating toys and a mushroom fountain are also attractions for the shallow pools.

An Olympic-sized pool offers more active patrons opportunity for fun as well. Adult lap lanes, a diving area, basketball goals and a water slide will all be in the larger pool, Brown says.

Although an admission fee for the complex has not yet been determined, Bohannan says he expects the pool to be financially profitable. After the expense of regular pool maintenance, $75,000 to $100,000 of profit should be generated, Bohannan says.

The Randal Tyson Recreational Complex is another Springdale city park that offers a variety of athletic entertainment. General parks and recreation funding supports the complex.

Many tournaments are scheduled for the complex fields each year, and the fee paid by the organization sponsoring the tournament is the only fee required. Patrons may use any of five soccer, seven baseball and three softball fields at no charge. Basketball courts, a horseshoe pit, a playground, a walking trail and a tennis court are also available.

Educational needs ranked high in priority for Springdale’s capital improvement tax spending, and the Springdale public library renovation is the result.

After more than four years of planning, the library in Murphy Park will receive an addition of more than 25,000 SF, including a computer room and an area for children’s programs.

“It’s the best thing Springdale could have possibly done to improve library services,” says Marsha Ransom, head librarian.

By the first week in September, library patrons will be able to use the new addition, and renovations for the existing building will begin. December will mark the grand opening of both sections, Ransom says.

Although public funding helps pay for many of Springdale’s recreational facilities, private financing also helps to build Springdale assets.

The Harvey and Bernice Jones Center for Families is a Springdale complex that is completely privately funded. Serving Springdale with family entertainment and education, the center includes an ice arena, a gymnasium, a fitness area with an indoor track, two indoor pools with a tornado slide, and a computer center with 42 terminals.

More than 220,000-SF make up the Jones Center, which was designed to appeal to everyone, scheduling coordinator Kara New says.

Programs in the Jones Center include Free School. Patrons may enroll in the trimester program, which features classes for anything from basket-weaving to advanced computer skills.