Barling event marks part of more than $3 million in playground renovations
by March 28, 2026 10:52 am 494 views
Pictured is part of the new playground equipment at Barling Elementary School.
Fort Smith Public School District officials recently gathered at the Barling Elementary School to formally open a renovated playground at the school that is part of a more than $3 million plan to update playgrounds over the next three years.
The district created a “Playground Committee” that included more than 20 district employees who conducted more than 75 hours of research and gathering public input, according to the district. The input was from more than 2,100 students, staff, and parents.
An “Oceanscape” theme was selected for the new equipment and colors, with the cost for all equipment and work budgeted at $3.3 million.
Playground equipment is being installed at Ballman, Euper Lane, Fairview, Park, and Tilles Elementary Schools during the first round of installation. Other elementary schools in the district will receive new playgrounds over the remaining two years.
“We are excited to celebrate the completion of the playground at Barling,” FSPS Superintendent Martin Mahan said in a statement. “This new, interactive playground gives students the opportunity to make new friends, have fun, and build critical interactive skills. Seeing students’ faces light up today as they enjoyed the new equipment was the highlight of the day.”
Specifically, the school board approved $2.982 million in phase 1 playground renovations, with that work set to be complete in early 2026. The second phase has an approved budget of $1.1 million.
The playground work is part of several capital projects the Fort Smith School Board recently approved or reviewed. Approved projects include $3.786 million for Southside High School roof repairs, and $2.865 million for Northside High School roof repairs.
Work reviewed included new indoor and outdoor football turf at Northside and Southside High Schools estimated to cost between $2.5 million and $3.5 million, and planned new roofs — damaged in part during a 2021 hail storm — at five elementary buildings (Ballman, Fairview, Howard, Spradling, and Sutton), paid for with insurance proceeds and estimated to cost between $4.5 million and $5.5 million.