Work progresses on boardwalk connection from Carol Ann Cross Park to river

Work on the $1.18 million Carol Ann Cross Park boardwalk in Fort Smith is on track for completion in the late fall. Crawford Construction has completed most of the framing of the 0.45-mile concrete portion of the project that will connect the park to the Arkansas River.

“Approximately 30% of the concrete portion is complete. The boardwalk is currently being fabricated. I think we are all excited to see the installation process. This is our first boardwalk so it will be interesting to watch that process,” said Fort Smith Parks Director Sara Deuster.

The Fort Smith Board of Directors approved the project, which was included in the Parks Department’s capital improvement plan for the year, in March.

The park stands out in Fort Smith, Deuster said, because it has a lake, which allows for a number of amenities and activities not available at other parks in the city, including fishing from the docks, kayak rentals and a wooded area.

“This is the only city park that offers this variety of amenities. The area the new greenway and boardwalk encompasses is not highly utilized because it is difficult to travel. This project removes that barrier and provides an accessible path up to an overlook area of the Arkansas River,” Deuster said. “This is the first boardwalk we have installed, and it will be built to last a lifetime.”

METHODIST VILLAGE CONNECTION
Methodist Village Senior Living, which is located near the park, has applied for a federal transportation alternative grant to connect to existing and future trails at Carol Ann Cross park, said Melissa Curry, Methodist Village executive director.

Residents frequently visit the park to engage in passive and active recreation activities, noted a memo accompanying a resolution passed by the Fort Smith Board. The resolution, passed May 21, expresses the willingness of the city to serve as a sponsor for Methodist Village in seeking the grant. Residents now have to use motorized transportation or travel down a makeshift path to access the park.

Methodist Village is hoping to create a paved, accessible path to connect their facility to Carol Ann Cross Park to better allow residents to access the park, Curry said. With the help of McClelland Consulting Engineers in Fort Smith, Methodist Village applied for a grant for $181,940. The grant will require a 20% local match and any associated fees, such as engineering design.

The total cost of the project, which will include a lighted sidewalk wide enough for two wheelchairs to pass each other easily along a back path to the park, is expected to be $227,425, Curry said. The path will be ADA compliant, she said.

“We want a safe passage for our residents, families and staff,” Curry said. “It will allow our residents to go fishing and to participate in more activities at the park. We learned during COVID, that we need a lot of green space for our employees. This will allow them to access the park during their lunch breaks.”

The walking trails will help both residents and employees be healthier, she said.

“We believe a healthier Fort Smith is a wealthier Fort Smith. If you are healthier, you can keep more money in your pockets,” she said.

The grant application was submitted May 28. Curry did not know when they might hear back about it.

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
In May, the Fort Smith Board also approved the purchase and installation of an inclusive playground at Carol Ann Cross Park. This is the culminating project to complete the rehabilitation of this park, Deuster said. The $868,425 playground project is funded by the 0.125% sales tax earmarked for parks and recreation along with $190,000 from the Carol Ann Cross Park cell tower revenue.

The project will be inclusive of all young age groups – 2 to 5 and 5 to 12. Rather than being divided into separate projects that occur over a number of years, the renovations will be conducted at the same time, Deuster said in information provided to the board.

A substantial amount of earthwork is required to meet ADA requirements for slopes in the play area. A small retaining wall, similar to the one at Creekmore Park, is necessary for stormwater mitigation and to achieve complete accessibility, she said. Parks staff, with the help of ACS Playground Adventures, designed the playground, focusing on inclusion and providing play components unique to this park. The area will include perimeter fencing and sidewalks.

“This inclusive playground offers unique play amenities that emphasize climbing, balancing, problem solving, sensory experiences, fine motor skills, and collaborative play. Artificial turf surfacing in lieu of wood fiber mulch will be used for this play space,” Deuster said in a memo.

Because the Parks Department is doing the demolition of the old playground, rather than contracting it out, much of the work will not begin until after the holiday displays are installed, Deuster said. This also allows the current playground to be used through the summer and early fall. The equipment has been ordered, but it will not be installed until early winter. Deuster said she expects the new playground to be opened in spring 2025.