NOTICE OF CHANGES IN PARKS AND AMENITIES STATUS
Update: June 24
The Wilson Park Pool will remain closed for the 2020 season.
The 2020 Gulley Park Concert Series has been canceled.
Amenities that have reopened include:
Youth Baseball
- Friday, June 12: Youth Baseball for ages 13 and older may begin practice and games at White River Baseball Complex. Two game fields, restrooms, a concession stand and water fountains will be available at this complex.
- Friday, June 19: Youth baseball for ages nine to 12 will be available at Kessler Mountain Regional Park Chambers Baseball Complex. Four game fields, restrooms, a concession stand, batting cages and water fountains will be available at this complex.
- Youth Baseball for ages eight and younger will not be reinstated. Walker Park Baseball Complex will remain closed for the 2020 summer season.
Adult Softball:
- Adult Softball Leagues may begin practice on Monday, June 15, and games on Thursday, June 18, at Gary Hampton Softball Complex. Four game fields, a concession stand, restrooms and water fountains will be available at this complex. Playgrounds remain closed.
Tennis Courts and Batting Cages
- Wilson Park Tennis Courts: Open for singles play only. Courts are reserved from 7 to 8:30 am for senior citizen use (ages 65 and older). Signs are posted with social distancing guidelines that should be maintained while using tennis courts.
- Walker Park Tennis Courts, Batting Cages, Handball/Racquetball Court, Horseshoe Pits and Skate Park: Signs are posted with social distancing guidelines that should be maintained during use of these amenities. Additional use guidelines for Walker Park amenities include:
- Tennis Courts: Open for singles play only. courts are reserved from 7 to 8:30 am for senior citizen use (ages 65 and older).
- Batting Cages: Only two people permitted per batting cage.
- White River Batting Cages: Signs are posted with social distancing guidelines that should be maintained while using the batting cage. Only two people permitted per batting cage.
Dog Park
- Bryce Davis Iams Dog Park: Signs are posted with social distancing guidelines that should be maintained while using amenities.
Lakes
- Lake Fayetteville Marina and Lake Sequoyah Marina: Signs are posted with social distancing guidelines and spacing markers that should be maintained on docks and in the bait shop. Customers should wear face coverings in the bait shop. Sneeze guards are installed at public counters, and hand sanitizer is available for public use. Staff and contractors must wear face coverings when working with customers. The bait shop will admit only one person at a time. Symptomatic persons will not be admitted to the bait shop. Additionally, the City will continue is waiver of fishing permit fees for City lakes until further notice.
The Parks and Recreation Department office and Yvonne Richardson Community Center are closed. Our Department is operating with some staff working from the office and others working from their home. Park Maintenance Staff are essential staff and are working their normal schedule of 7 am – 3:30 pm. Signage is posted on our front door. Please contact us by email or 479-444-3471 if you have questions.When visiting parks and trails, we are encouraging people to practice the following recommendations from the National Parks and Recreation Association:
- Follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to heading to parks and trails — wash hands, carry hand sanitizer, do not use parks and trails if you have symptoms, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, etc.
- Observe at all times CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of six feet from other people. Practice it and know what it looks like. Keep it as you walk, bike or hike.
- Warn other trail users of your presence and as you pass to allow proper distance and step off trails to allow others to pass, keeping minimum recommended distances at all times. Signal your presence with your voice, bell or horn.
- Note that trail and park users may find public restrooms closed — be prepared before you leave and time outings so that you are not dependent on public restrooms.
- Bring water or drinks — public drinking fountains may be disabled and should not be used, even if operable.
- Bring a suitable trash bag. Leave no trash, take everything out to protect park workers.
If parks are crowded, please visit another park site (click here to view a map of City parks and trails) or return when the park is less crowded. To help families experiencing cabin fever, park staff is developing programming, such as a sidewalk chalk art contest, that allows for social distancing. Please join our Parks and Recreation social media including Facebook and Twitter to keep informed. Follow CDC guidelines including staying home if you or a family member is sick or experiencing symptoms.
For regular updates about the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.