Talk Business & Politics editorial: Fort Smith needs to refocus on parks and rec

The meandering, often confusing and frequently frustrating plan eventually approved by Fort Smith voters to substantially fund federally-mandated sewer system improvements included talk from a few that funding for parks is not a necessity.

You know, fewer playground sets equals more pump stations. The signs almost write themselves: “Less recreation, more sanitation.”

Adequate funding for parks and recreation is necessary for any community wishing to remain relevant and vibrant. Parks and recreation dollars are about jobs and economic development. Such has been the case for a few decades now; so much so that this essay runs the risk of pointing out a fact no less obvious than the sun being a bit on the boiling side.

This is not meant to chide those who suggested a reduction in park funding. The consent decree thing has been frustrating, stubbornly so, since 2015. Fort Smith officials did little — continue to do little — to actively communicate meaningful physical efforts to address the consent decree.

And when they were doing more than a little to communicate, it was buried in multipage documents with enough engineering terms to clog any number of sewer lines. It’s understandable that some may be frustrated, or may be unaware that Fort Smith can do more than one thing at a time — can fund more than one big thing at a time.

But we can. We can because we must.

The city, county, and private walking trails, bike paths, swing sets, soccer fields, disc golf courses, amphitheaters, picnic sites, open fields, swimming pools, splash pads, pavilions, fishing areas, and other venues that allow us to entertain, exercise, and exorcise the trials of life are vital for the health of a population. Money for an inclusive playground is as much about jobs as money to subsidize an entrance road for an industrial building.

The city has in recent years made progress with park system improvements and additions, to include significant work at Creekmore Park and Carol Ann Cross Park. But more support for the system and parks leadership and staff is needed. The National Recreation and Park Association provides some stats on why park amenities are important.

• Community park and recreation departments generated $201 billion in economic activity and supported more than 1.1 million jobs in 2021.
• Almost 75% of U.S. adults say access to a park, playground, open space or recreation center is an important factor in deciding where they want to live.
• Among corporate execs surveyed, 87% say quality-of-life is an important factor when they consider new facility, expansion or relocation plans.
• Parks also have a job-entry benefit. Ninety-six percent of U.S. adults believe teenagers and young adults benefit from having work and volunteer opportunities in parks and recreation facilities. Think, lifeguard. There was a U.S. president who said his meaningful work career began as a lifeguard.
• The importance of Fort Smith parks funding also is matched by the need to wisely use our limited — less than $4 million a year from sales tax revenue — parks and recreation dollars. Now that the Fort Smith Board of Directors are not wholly consumed by consent decree obligations, they should work more to ensure the highest and best use of our parks and rec dollars, and work with the city’s parks professionals to maximize investments. For example, the more than 100 acres that are part of the former ACME Brick facility represents an opportunity to create a recreation amenity that could be the talk of the nation. Seriously. It could be a big deal if we don’t listen to folks who doubt our ability to deal big.

Fort Smith is being outpaced — or at risk of being outpaced — by Jonesboro, Bryant, and several Northwest Arkansas cities in terms of quality-of-life amenities. To wit, Jonesboro officials approved a prepared food tax to help fund a $77 million sports complex. The facility will put the Northeast Arkansas city on the national map to host a wide range of lucrative sporting events.

Also, Arkansas officials are focused on expanding outdoor amenities, and are willing to help cities, counties and other qualifying groups who have a plan in place.

“The Office of Outdoor Recreation is ready to help community members, mayors, county judges, people in chambers of commerce, and economic development organizations understand the role that outdoor recreation plays in our economy,” Katherine Andrews, director of the state’s Office of Outdoor Recreation, said in May during a presentation of state initiatives.

There was a time when people moved to follow jobs. While there are exceptions, jobs now follow people and people move to cities with progressive quality-of-place policies and infrastructure.

It’s time for city residents and city leaders to engage more on how to strategically boost quality-of-life amenities. Anyone who suggests the community can’t afford more parks and rec dollars is wrong. A city wanting to attract the best and brightest must make bigger investments in how its residents play where they live and work.