Greenwood opens Bell Park Pavilion

story and photo by Theresa Burtchett

Greenwood city officials and the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce officially opened the town’s first Community Pavilion in Bell Park on Monday (Aug. 8). The 4,000-square-foot main room will have the capacity to accommodate groups up to 290 and has the flexibility of being the site for both indoor and outdoor activities.

Construction began in 2010 as a planned phase of the Bell Park’s master development program. The building is funded by three GIF Community Enhancement Grants through the Arkansas Department of Rural Services, totaling $420,000 and a portion of the city’s quarter-cent sales tax dedicated to parks.

Michael Lejong, project architect with MAHG-Architecture Inc., cited the building’s design is to serve multiple functions for year-round use. Garage type doors allow the building to open up and utilized in conjunction with an amphitheatre for things such as concerts and other outdoors events. The building can be heated and cooled as a community center. The building design was chosen to fit the natural scenic setting of the park and includes several energy saving features in the construction.

“I am very proud of the development of the park and this pavilion,” said Cinda Bell, park committee member. “This facility will allow the park to be used all year. The park is starting to take shape as a place for people of all ages to enjoy. … A lot of people made this possible including all of the voters who supported the sales tax for parks.”

Committees made up of area residents, city officials and business people served on the parks committee, building design committee and building use committees to help implement the project. Area legislators supported the project in the grant process.

Bell’s family donated the property for the park in 1970’s, however the park had been under developed for several years. A committee was formed in 2000 to begin park improvements and in 2006 a master plan for the 38-acre park was developed. Since that time, playgrounds, walking and nature trails, promenade, picnic areas, basketball court, disc golf course and a sport field have been completed. Future plans include an amphitheatre, more trails and water feature such as a splash pad.

Doug Kinslow, parks director, noted that even before the official opening, 25 reservations for the building have been made for the facility. Until the completion of the Bell Park Community Pavilion, citizens did not have a large open public facility to host events.

“It is (parks and recreation) a critical component to economic development because it is a part of the quality of life, and Greenwood has done an excellent job of providing those things,” said Rusty Myers, assistant director for Western Arkansas Planning and Development.

Starting immediately the building will be available to reserve for such functions as reunions, receptions, meetings and community events. Rental of the facility includes fees to help offset cleaning and utility usage. Those fees vary by event, time used and day of the week rented.

For specific fees and scheduling contact the parks department at City Hall.