Parks & Trails February 2019 Newsletter

City of Hot Springs February 2019 Newsletter

2018

111 Opera Street Bicycle Friendliness 4
P.O. Box 700
Park News 5
Hot Springs, AR 71902 Congratulations 5
Hanging Baskets 6
Call: 501-321-6871 Sister City Visit 8
Email: [email protected] Volunteer of the Year 9
Welcome New Employees 10
Visit: www.cityhs.net
Friends of the Parks 11
Like us on Facebook:
Hot Springs Parks & Trails Provided by Ned Skoog, 12
Growing Healthy Communities- Friends of the Parks President 13
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Hot Springs Trail Footnotes 15
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OUR STAFF Provided by Ken Freeman, 17
City Trail Coordinator 18
Director Trail Etiquette
Anthony Whittington Trails in Your City Parks 20
Landscape Superintendent 21
Trail Watch Volunteer Program
Brian Fisher
Parks Superintendent Be Heart Smart!

Larry Golden Bike Hot Springs!
Office Manager
Kathleen Fason Spa Pacers Run Clinic

Secretary Iron Ranger Challenge 2019
Jennifer Shinn
SOFTBALL REGISTRATION!

Youth Softball Registration
Adult Softball Registration

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 2/12 This Month Is:
Arts Advisory Committee Meeting American Heart
Parks & Trails Conference Room Black History
111 Opera Street, Ste. A National Cherry
12:00 PM National Grapefruit

 2/13 Special Days:
Public Input Meeting Groundhog Day 2
Pullman Connection to Northwoods Trails
Transportation Depot Conference Room Valentine’s Day 14
100 Broadway Terrace
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM President’s Day 18

 2/21 Tennis Day 23
Parks & Trails Advisory Committee
Parks & Trails Conference Room - we have public tennis
111 Opera Street, Ste. A courts at Family Park,
5:00 PM 215 Family Park Road
and at Kimery Park,
 2/26 271 Kimery Lane.
Urban Forestry Advisory Committee
Parks & Trails Conference Room
111 Opera Street, Ste. A
6:00 PM

 2/28
Friends of the Parks meeting
Chamber of Commerce
659 Ouachita Ave.
11:30 AM

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This photo shows what is becoming a more common
sighting in Hot Springs these days. Groups of bicycles
locked outside of downtown businesses! So, you may
wonder, how can bicycle friendliness benefit our community?
Bicycling can empower us to become healthier, happier, and
more in touch with the world we live in. Biking is fun,
cost-effective, and safe. Many cities across the nation have
reported increases of 50% and more bicyclist on the road
after bike lanes were installed. Did you know that on-going
use of a bicycle has virtually NO carbon footprint? And did
you know that bicycle commuting burns an average of 540
calories per hour according to the British Journal of Sports
Medicine? That’s not all! Bicycle commuters report lower
stress levels and greater feelings of freedom, relaxation, and
excitement than automobile commuters and countries with
the highest levels of cycling and walking generally have the
lowest obesity rates.

One thing that the U.S. Department of Transportation has
found is that bicycle infrastructure makes the streets safer
for everyone in a community, not just bicyclists because it
reduces the frequency of crashes while calming traffic. This
leads to a less chaotic and safer environment for all.

Companies increasingly want to locate in bicycle-friendly
communities as a way to attract young workers. Younger
generations are much more likely to move to these
communities because they are more health and fitness
aware. They desire a safe environment for themselves and
their children to commute to and from work, school, events,
and recreational areas.

A healthier, more active, bicycle-friendly community will see
savings in health care and psychiatric costs, a boost in
economic growth, as well as reductions in greenhouse
gases. Cleaner air, healthier, happier citizens in a booming
local economy? What more could a community want?

We at Parks & Trails are happy to be a part of Hot Springs’
bright, bicycle-friendly future! We welcome citizens and
visitors who find bicycling to be their favorite mode of
transportation.

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Congratulations!

Parks & Trails Director Anthony Whittington,
currently Vice President of the Arkansas Urban
Forestry Council, was recently elected President. His
term will begin July 1. This statewide council holds
many community forestry events and tree planting
across Arkansas each year. The mission of the
Council is to enhance the quality of life by promoting
the benefits of trees; and to develop sustainable,
community forests through education, outreach, and
partnerships. Congratulations Anthony!

Hanging Baskets

This is a year for rebuilding the beautiful
hanging baskets that are enjoyed in the
downtown area each spring and summer.
Parks & Trails staff will receive assistance
again this year from the Garland County
Master Gardeners to rebuild the baskets.
Osmocote, Metro mix, liners, bone meal,
water crystals, sphagnum moss, and
shredded pine bark mulch will be added to the
26” wire frames before adding the Floribunda
Petunia plugs that will grow into a
magnificent display all along Central Avenue in
downtown Hot Springs! Residents and
visitors alike compliment the baskets each year
and ask for the recipe. You can find the full Hot
Springs Parks & Trails Hanging Basket Recipe
online at www.cityhs.net on the Parks & Trails
page. Our thanks to all of the Garland County
Master Gardeners of yesterday, today, and
tomorrow for all of their help with the
baskets each year! Look for the baskets to be
hung in May again this year.

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L-R: Sister City employee Daiki Sugawara from
Hanamaki, Japan toured Hot Springs Parks,
Trails, and Recreation facilities with Sport
Recreation Manager Adam Ussery and Parks &
Trails Director Anthony Whittington. Daiki’s job
involves providing support and promotion for
sporting events. He also met and spoke with city
Trail Coordinator Ken Freeman and other
department heads in the city. We were excited to
meet Daiki and were encouraged to be reminded
that no matter where you live in the world
you can always find others who share a love
of the outdoors and recreational activities.

Renting a city park pavilion is quick and easy.
Cost is minimal and clean up will be, too!

 Birthday Parties
 Family Reunions
 Wedding Receptions
 Baby Showers
 Retirement Farewells
 Fishing Derbies

Cost to reserve pavilions:
$10 per hour for city residents
$20 per hour for non-city residents

Additional fees may apply for large groups and special events. Please refer to our
Reservation Policy for fee schedules or call the Parks and Trails Department at
501-321-6871 for more information.

To make your reservation, call or come by the Parks and Trails Department at 111 Opera Street,
or fill out an interactive online form at www.cityhs.net. Reservations must be made a least two
(2) weeks prior to your event date. Postings in the information kiosks of each park reflect who
has a pavilion reserved and when each week (Monday - Sunday).

The City of Hot Springs, Visit Hot Springs, and Hot Springs National Park will
be hosting a Public Input meeting at the Transportation Depot conference
room, 100 Broadway Terrace in Hot Springs, AR. They would like input
regarding the Pullman Street connection to the Northwoods Trails. and a
presentation will be made at 5:30 pm. The public is invited and encouraged to
stop in to view maps, ask questions, and make comments from 4-7 PM.

Please Remember…. For your protection please be aware Flowers in Parks and on Trails
Motorized Vehicles of the presence of FIRE ANTS. are beautiful. Please leave
are NOT allowed on Although treated on a regular basis, them in place for all
Trails. fire ants are particularly prone to be patrons to enjoy!
active in parks and especially after a
rain shower. Please be alert!

The City of Hot Springs Parks & Trails
Department’s 2018 Volunteer of the Year
is Paula Wallace. Paula is a Garland
County Master Gardener and she
worked a total of 62.75 hours last year!
We are so grateful for the hard work
and dedication of so many wonderful
individuals who assist us in a variety
of ways each year. Landscape
Superintendent Brian Fisher presented
Paula with a plaque and many thanks
during the MG’s regular work day last
month.

Parks & Trails is lucky enough to have the opportunity
to work with interns. This year we will have one coming
on staff part-time to shadow all aspects of the
business. Landen Rossini is an intern from Arkansas
Technical University who will graduate in May with a
Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation & Parks
Administration. His first day with the Hot Springs Parks
& Trails Department was Monday, January 28, 2019.
He will be with us for 10 weeks.

Landen is happy about being back in Hot Springs for
his internship. In his spare time, he likes to hunt and
fish and generally loves being outdoors! If you see
Landen working, please join us in welcoming him!

Allen Bates is the City of Hot Springs’ new
Urban Forester and his first day was also
Monday, January 28, 2019. Allen was born in
Hot Springs and graduated from Fountain Lake
High School. He then attended Arkansas State
University and graduated with a Bachelor of
Science degree in Agriculture. He taught
agriculture at Lake Hamilton for four years and
then worked for 25 years in production forestry.
In 2011 he took a position with the Garland
County Cooperative Extension where he
managed the Master Gardener program. He’s
happy to be on board with the City of Hot
Springs and looks forward to his work in
the community. You can email him at
[email protected] or call 501-321-6778.

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Ned Skoog Here at the beginning of 2019, your Hot Springs Friends of the
President, Parks board of directors wishes to remind all of us that by working
Friends of the Parks together and contributing what we can, we will find a way to realize
our long term goal of connecting neighborhoods to trails and getting
To renew your the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail (HSCGT), as well as other
membership planned greenway trails, TO THE LAKE! An example of such
or become a persistence and creativity will come to fruition in February when the
“Park Friend” City Board of Directors will be asked to accept a land donation from
mail your annual Friends of the Parks. This property will be used during construction
membership fee of the next phase of the HSCGT, and was the subject of
negotiations between the Friends’ Board and the Murray/Terrill
Family-$35 families for several years. The families ended up donating the
Adult-$25 needed property to Friends of the Parks, and Friends were able to
Youth-$10 provide a couple of things to them that will make their remaining
Business-$50 property more marketable. We certainly want to thank them and the
Organization-$50 many property owners who share our vision of an interconnected
trail network in Hot Springs, that will provide alternative active
to: Friends of the Parks, transportation opportunities to all of our neighborhoods, and have
P.O. Box 996, been willing to donate trail corridor right-of-way to make it happen.
Hot Springs, AR 71902-0996 We are asking all interested parties to join with us in making 2019 a
www.hsfriendsoftheparks.org banner year for trail development in Hot Springs.

There is now a Friends of the Parks - Hot Springs, AR
Facebook page. Please LIKE the page and invite your
friends and family to LIKE it too. We will keep you
informed of future projects there as well!

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Ken Freeman, aka “The Trail Guy”

Trails Coordinator

This time of the year provides such a different look out on the trails because of the lack of
leaves, shortened hours of sunlight, and the monotone gray of tree trunks on a cloudy cold day.
These days shouldn’t be viewed as gloomy, though, since visibility in the treed areas is greatly
improved, and you will see things that you may not have noticed before. Wildlife sightings are
up, and if you venture onto the newest completed section of the Hot Springs Creek Greenway
Trail (HSCGT) with the elevated boardwalk and the trail along the creek south of Golf Links
Road, you have a pretty good chance of seeing one of the resident Great Blue Herons. You’ll
see a heron wading or standing near the little water falls fishing for a meal. The Trail Guy may
be easily entertained, but, WOW, it is fun to see those magnificent birds fishing and flying along
the creek.

As much as the Trail Guy likes to see the Great Blue Herons, I equally dislike going to meetings.
However, I gladly attended a meeting at the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT)
building in Little Rock on January 15th. That was the kick-off for projects awarded 2018
Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grants administered by ARDOT. Hot Springs was
fortunate to have been awarded one of the TAP grants for a project designated as ARDOT Job
#061601. The formal name of the project is HSCGT, Phase 6B, but is known locally as the Jean
Wallace Wetlands Trailhead. As designed, this project will include a bicycle and pedestrian
bridge connection to the neighborhoods on the east side of Hot Springs Creek, a timber
boardwalk through a wetlands area connecting to the bridge, and partial construction of a
trailhead at the end of Television Hill Road. The meeting was step #1, and step #2 is for the City
Manager to sign and submit an Agreement of Understanding with accompanying finance

related forms to ARDOT.
After that, 28 other steps of
doing things and sending
paperwork back and forth
with ARDOT, which will
take about 2 years, and it’ll
be done. Look forward to
a lot more updates on this
great project in the months
ahead. Don’t forget to
include that someone
special in your life on a trail
hike/bike/run, since this is
February, and I’ll see you
out on the trails.

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More and more Hot Springs residents and visitors are flocking to parks and trails for fitness and
fun! Whether you are on the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail or a city park trail, it’s good to
follow these simple etiquette rules so everyone has a safe and enjoyable time on the trails.
Be Safe
Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle
Use bicycle lights and reflectors after dusk/before dawn
Wear bright or light colored clothing so you’re easily seen
Be aware of your surroundings
Carry a charged cell phone and proper identification
Communicate to family and friends where you’re going
Carry water
Utilize the buddy system when possible
Observe posted park rules and hours
Keep an eye on children
Travel at a safe speed
Slow down on curves
Do not ride on wet or muddy nature trails
Dismount and walk you bike on steep nature trails to avoid locking your breaking or skidding
Stay to right and pass with care
Always pass on the left
Ring a bell or give clear, verbal warning to nearby trail users before passing
Yield to oncoming traffic when passing
Bikes yield to pedestrians
Single file in groups
Motorized vehicles are prohibited on trails except motorized wheelchairs
Be Courteous
Stay on the trails to protect vegetation and minimize erosion
“Leave No Trace”- carry out what’s carried in
Do not disturb wildlife
Keep to the edge when stopped to allow others to pass
Be Responsible with pets
Keep all pets on a short leash
Pick-up pet waste

Trails In Your City Parks

Park Name and Location Surface Type ADA Length

Baseball Trail Park - 1201 Whittington Ave Asphalt Yes 1/6 Mile
Yes 1/4 Mile
Chattanooga Park - 530 Chattanooga St Asphalt
1/5 Mile
Desoto Park - 1700 Park Ave Asphalt Yes
1/5 mile
Family Park - 215 Family Park Rd Asphalt Yes
1/4 Mile
Entergy Park - 530 Lakepark Dr Asphalt Yes 2/10 Mile
North Loop Trail Asphalt Yes 3/4 Mile
Wildlife Observation Trail
Natural Surface No 1/5 Mile
Water Tower Loop Trail
1/2 Mile
Lakefront Trail Natural Surface No 1/10 Mile
1/10 Mile
Fenceline Trail Natural Surface No 1/10 Mile
3/10 Mile
Eagle Scout Trail Natural Surface No 1 Mile
1/2 Mile
Playground Connector Trail Asphalt Yes 1/4 Mile
Pavilion on the Point Asphalt No
Sunnybrook Connector Trail Asphalt Yes 1/4 Mile
No 1/2 Mile
Hill Wheatley Park - 688 Majestic Lodge Rd Natural Surface 2/3 Mile
No 1/2 Mile
Hinsley Park - Kingsway and Meadowlake Natural Surface Yes 1/4 Mile
1/4 Mile
Wade Street Park - 300 Wade St Asphalt

Hot Springs Creek Greenway- Concrete Yes
Transportation Plaza Trail Asphalt Yes
Valley Street Creekwalk Concrete Yes
Jaycee Trail and Friendship Park Trail Asphalt Yes
Hollywood Trail Asphalt Yes
Blue Heron Trail
Asphalt Yes
Utility Service Center Trail

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Improve the quality of life in Hot Springs by providing
and modeling proper trail etiquette and safety as
well as assisting users in trail navigation.

A 30 minute information class where you will receive
a vest and supplies will take place on the second
Tuesday of each month, March-September.

To sign-up call Kathleen at 501-321-6871 or
email [email protected]. For more information about
the Trail Watch program and proper trail etiquette go
to www.cityhs.net and look under the Parks & Trails

Department for Trail Watch.

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Did you know that February is American Heart Month? Now is the time to get heart smart. Show
your heart a little love for a strong and healthy future.

As you read over these heart smart tips keep in mind the old saying, “The greatest wealth is
health!”

The heart is a muscle, and the more it works, the stronger it gets.

Eating heart healthy doesn’t mean eating less … just eating right. Fruits, vegetables, whole
grains, nuts, legumes, low-fat protein, and healthy monounsaturated fats and omega 3 fatty
acids.

Losing weight slowly means losing weight safely. It’s also better for your heart!

Taking care of your teeth helps your heart. Gum disease has been linked to heart problems.
So brush, floss and rinse each day.

Getting a good night’s sleep regularly can go a long way toward keeping your heart healthy.
Aim for seven hours a night.

Cut back on sodium. Salt can be hidden in foods and drinks that we consume every day.
Carefully reading food labels will help you choose foods lower in sodium.

Don’t smoke! If you do smoke then do everything in your power to stop. Smoking is a major
cause of atherosclerosis, which is the build up of fatty substances on the arteries. Over time
this build-up in the arteries can cause a heart attack.

Lower your stress level. There are as many stress-reducing techniques as there are stressors.
Whether it’s walking, running, biking, swimming, yoga, meditating, soaking in a warm bath,
journaling, or playing with your pet, lowering your stress levels will help raise your heart
health.

Choose DARK chocolate for Valentine’s Day! Antioxidants in dark chocolate and green tea can
improve blood vessel function, lower blood pressure, and reduce the inflammation that leads
to cardiovascular disease.

Be positive! Research shows that negativity and anger are heart stressors but love, joy, and
kindness result in an increased immune system and a healthier heart.

For more information on being heart smart visit the American Heart Association at
www.heart.org.

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BikeHotSprings.com is the place to
go online for information and maps
of not only the Northwoods Trails
but all trails in and around Hot
Springs, AR. From intermediate
to advanced, there is a trail for
everyone who wants to get outside
and walk, run, or ride the trails!

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