Entries for the 'Park It' Category

Over the last few days we have given you some info about Fort Smith's community parks. Well, we don't want to leave out any of the other wonderful play places in the area. Here is a list of the neighborhood parks, county parks, state parks, etc. Get out and have some fun!

RIVER FRONT PARKS
Fort Smith Park, 5301 Clayton Expressway
Harry E. Kelley Park, North A Street and Clayton Expressway
River Front Ampitheater, 121 Clayton Expressway
River Front Pavilion, Front and North B streets

NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS
Cisterna Park, North 10th Street and Garrison Avenue
Harley A. Wilson Park, North Eight and H streets
Hillcrest Park, Girard and Vista boulevards
Riley Farm Park, 11598 Maple Park Drive
Ross Pendergraft Park, 200 Garrison Avenue
Spradling Park, North 29th Street and Spradling Avenue
Victory Park, Victory Circle. Downtown
Woodlawn Park, North Sixth and S streets

SPECIALTY PARKS
Anniversary Rose Garden, 200 S. 12th St.
Fort Smith Dog Park, Corner of Massard Road and Louisville Street
Kelley Park Ballfields, Old Greenwood Road
Massard Prarie Battlefield, Corner of Red Pine Dirve and Morgan's Way

OTHER MUNICIPAL PARKS
City Park, 304 Church St., Barling
Bonanza City Park, On Arkansas 45, Bonanza
Bell Park, Off Main Street, Greenwood
Town Square,  Center of town, Greenwood
Hackett City Park, 110 Johnson Park Drive, Hackett
Cherokee Park, Off U.S. 71 on West Broadway, Huntington
Lavaca City Park, 808 W. Main St., Lavaca
Shade Park, 2011 Shawna Drive, Lavaca
Mansfield City Park, 200 N. Sebascott Ave., Mansfield

SEBASTIAN COUNTY PARKS
Ben Geren Park, 7200 S. Zero St., Fort Smith
East Sebastian County Park, Lavaca
Midland Park, Midland

STATE PARKS
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Rd., Mountainburg

OTHER PARKS
Springhill Park, 1700 Lock and Dam Road, Barling

NATURE CENTERS
Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Barling

Please send us your park play ideas so that we can add to this section and pass along to all the moms.  Email them to play@fortsmithmoms.com.

This park is great for your GI Joe or Little Princess. There is a life size tank (don't worry, it's not loaded!) for the kiddos to climb on as well as castle themed playground equipment. Swings, slides and all the usual fun stuff abound. There is also a lovely walking trail with lots of shade and plenty of room to wonder off course.

Some other Fun Factors at Tilles:

- Basketball Courts
- Tennis Courts
- Volleyball Poles
- Wading Pool (Lifeguard on Duty) *
- Picnic Tables & Pavilions
- 6/10 mile Walking Trail
- Restrooms
- Concessions
- 9 Hole Disc Golf Course

*Open During Summer Season

Most of the park is covered by water which draws the ducks and geese.  If you take a stroll around the little lake, be sure to watch where you’re walking.  It’s a bit messy sometimes.  This park provides a great place for the kids to do a little fishing or watch others fish.  There is usually someone out there trying to reel in a big one.   

The newly installed peer is nice.  It allows for a close view of the turtles and fish.  This is a very convenient park to visit.  It’s easy to park the car right by the playground equipment, and there is tons of fun packed into a small space.  Climbing, sliding, balancing, swinging, hiding, digging—it’s all right there.  There are also tables and pavilions for small picnics or group gatherings. 

Fun Fact
On the East side of the park you’ll find a sign that says “no motorized vehicles past this point”.  Past this point you’ll find several trails great for exploring.  Watch out for cyclists.    

The play possibilities at this park are endless.  The playground equipment allows for climbing, sliding, swinging, bouncing, and even digging, but our favorite thing about this park is the opportunity it provides for exploring.  My kids love to walk around this beautiful park and pick up nature’s treasures—sticks, nuts, leaves, and the sort.  They like to walk on the park’s trail and off the beaten path.  In addition to playing and exploring, Creekmore Park provides a great place to spend a day picnicking, talking, and reading.  In fact, before heading to the park, go by the Fort Smith Public Library, just across the street, and check out some books.  Pack a blanket and lunch and head to the park to spend a few hours reading with your child.  Got an important issue you need to talk about?  The park is a perfect place.  Walk and talk or veg out and let it out.  Somehow the fresh air and scenery makes tough talk easier.  

Creekmore Park provides lots of great places for picture taking.  Take your kids and get some great shots.  Oh, and let your kids get some shots too.  Hand the camera over and let them photo journal the day.  This will provide an activity when you get home as well.  They can cut and paste their pictures and make a park portfolio.   

Other Fun Facts
The park also has tennis and basketball courts and putt-putt (in the summer).   
One of the special features of Creekmore Park is the train.  My kids love it best in the summer when the water sprays them coming into the station and in the winter when the park is lit up for the holidays.  Ride for only 25¢!  You can always find the train schedule right here on FortSmithMoms.com.

From now until October 26th, 2008, the train runs on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.  The Holiday Express will begin in December!

Climbers
If your kids like to climb as much as mine do, they will love MLK park.  There are several different surfaces on which to climb (boulders, rock walls, and ladders of all sorts).  These are on the large piece of playground equipment located near the Elm Grove Community Center.   

Other Fun Facts
This park offers a lot of room to run (and roll!).  There is a small, but steep hill right behind the Community Center (you can’t miss it).  My kids had lots of laughs rolling down the knoll.  There is play equipment for young kids too.  A shaded play area is designed just for them.  It’s across the park.  This is about the only shade you’ll find in the park, besides a few very nice pavilions.  If those are full, mom, you’ll be sitting in the sun.  So consider wearing a hat or taking some shade.  For older kids, there is a neat skate park (that is for skate boards).  If you want lots of room to throw, toss, shoot, or kick a ball, this park is great.  Grab your football, baseball, soccer ball or basketball and head to the park.