Dear editor:
Seven years ago, the Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association determined that the small city park at the far west end of the Whittington Valley needed repairs and upgrades. In the intervening years, having applied for and received numerous grants, the park has been remade. New bathrooms were installed. A new toddler playground replaced a rarely used shuffleboard court. The park's other playground now has universally accessible swings and spinning seats. City funds upgraded the pedestrian bridge over Whittington Creek. Just last year, city staff, using a state grant, improved the park's ball field; a new backstop, batter's box, bases, scoreboard and bleachers were installed. And along with all these improvements came a new name: Baseball Trail Park.
Within the last month, city employees have installed new picnic tables and suspended gliding benches around the park's greensward. These latest enhancements were funded by two General Improvement Fund (GIF) grants -- a program that awards state tax money for designated local government projects.
On behalf of the members of the Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association, I want to thank everyone who has helped remake our little neighborhood park into an appealing and popular family destination. Foremost, our heartfelt appreciation goes to the city employees who over the years have installed all the new equipment and upgrades. Our front-line city employees work outside, rain or shine, yet often go unrecognized; we owe them all a tremendous debt of gratitude.
Jean Wallace, director of the city's Parks and Trails Department, has been an active and enthusiastic supporter of improving the park, as has Nathan Neighbors, director the city's Sports Recreation Department. Thanks also to Dwayne Pratt, executive director of the West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, whose agency administers the GIF grant program which funded the park's most recent improvements.
We also want to thank the Hot Springs Board of Directors for their ongoing support, with special recognition to Director Suzanne Davidson, in whose district the park is located. Director Davidson has been an unwavering supporter of all the revitalization efforts underway in the Whittington Valley.
Finally, a very special thank you to state Sen. Alan Clark, District 13, and state Rep. John Vines, District 25, for championing the two most recent GIF grants for Baseball Trail Park. Their steadfast support was crucial in obtaining these two grants.
In closing, if you happen to be driving through the Whittington Valley, we would encourage you to stop, get out of your car and walk around Baseball Trail Park. If so inclined (and there is no game being played), step up to home plate on the ball field. Or sit and rock back and forth on the newly installed swinging gliders. If you have children, watch as they enjoy the new play equipment. And finally, you will certainly appreciate the scenery: encircled on three sides by tall green trees, the setting is awe-inspiring.
President Mark A. Toth
and the Board of Directors
Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association
Editorial on 10/31/2016