Jonesboro awarded $189,515 grant for Allen Park

The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism awarded the city of Jonesboro $189,515 in grant funding from the Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. The Outdoor Recreation Grant Program focuses on increasing outdoor recreation opportunities for communities across Arkansas.

Grant funds will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the city and will be utilized to construct a new universally- accessible playground at Allen Park, located on Race Street. The current playground has been in use more than 20 years and needs significant improvements.

With a focus on inclusive spaces within the city, the new playground will include accessible ramps, a We-Go-Round, swings, slides, a synthetic surface, sensory play structures, braille panels, shade structures, splash pad and other amenities that will allow children with a variety of skills and mobility levels to enjoy outdoor play.

Allen Park is in a historically disadvantaged community where 23.2% of the population lives with a disability, which is considerably higher than other areas of Jonesboro.

Construction and installation are expected to begin in early spring and be completed within approximately 90 days. The last time Jonesboro received this grant was in 2021 for the Union Park renovation.

The recently adopted, award-winning Master Parks Plan and Health Accelerator Plan identified Allen Park as a catalyst for reinvestment in a community park space while ensuring parks can be enjoyed by residents of universal abilities into accessible and inviting assets for all residents and guests.