Parks
Read time: 3 minutes
There were many things I never truly appreciated before fatherhood. Among them – parks.
I mean, where do you start?
They’re free
Good for physical & mental health
They’re gathering spaces
They’re inclusive
They offer green space and fresh air
They improve property values
Since Graham came on the scene, city parks from Vale to Destin have provided our family with countless chances to relax, play, and make fast friends. I think here in Springdale, we do parks pretty darn well.
Downtown is fortunate to have several parks, but the crown jewel is the recently overhauled Luther George Park. What was once a modest and “well worn” neighborhood park is now a beautiful, expansive, regional destination.
To recap:
Total Project Cost: $14M
Private Contributions: $12M
City of Springdale: ~$2M
14 acres featuring sculpted earth berms along with 200+ native trees & grasses + playground
The centerpiece is the 5,200 performance pavilion manufactured in the Netherlands
Facing east, it can host audiences of around 3,000 people
West side can be used for more intimate gatherings or movie nights
I’m excited to see the growing list of programming scheduled for this fall because I want Northwest Arkansas to get to know Luther George! October will mark the 1 year anniversary of the park’s reopening and she definitely still feels like a hidden gem.
Like we used to sing in church “this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!”
Luther George is our little light and we need to LET HER SHINE.
The pavilion is a truly one-of-a-kind structure and Downtown Springdale should be marketing it as a regional destination and branding our whole downtown around it. What are we even calling it—the performance pavilion? Are we okay with that, or should we have be launching naming contest?
We should be printing posters and churning out merch. Luther George should have its own website and social media pages. There should be a giant billboard at the Elm Springs exit. Unfortunately, parks are not like the Field of Dreams—folks don’t just come because you build it. You have to let them know!
Other Parks
We also have a great one in Turnbow Park which benefits from its Spring Creek location – right in the middle of the action. The park plays host to Turnbow Tunes during the summer and numerous community events.
Don’t forget about Murphy Park (the oldest park in Springdale) which includes a three-acre pond, pavilion, sand volleyball court, swing set, play structure, picnic tables, and a paved trail. It is surrounded by the Springdale Public Library, Springdale Aquatic Center, Archer Alternate Learning Center and Springdale High School. Integrating and linking that area is a key recommendation of the master plan.
Now go enjoy Labor Day weekend - maybe at a park near you!
Meanwhile…
The City of Springdale closed on the purchase of a piece of property at 203 E Sunset Ave. as it moves forward with the Sunset Ave extension to Powell St. (City)
The Quilt Fair is coming to the Shiloh Museum on September 13th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm and is free to the public.
Plan on attending the Art Walk Downtown on Saturday, September 27, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Check out the Monarch Flight Festival on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
