Parks & Trails September 2019 Newsletter

City of Hot Springs

September 2019 Newsletter

DETAILS: PAGE 7

• Greenway Sponsorship Opportunities
• Adair Park Music Program to Continue
• Northwoods Photo Contest Extended
• 2019 Garland County Food Day
• 2019 Seeds of Peace
• and more

111 Opera Street Table of Contents 2
P.O. Box 700 3
Calendar: meetings and events
Hot Springs, AR 71902 4
Hot Springs Creek Greenway 5
Call: 501-321-6871 Sponsorship Opportunities 5
Email: [email protected] 6
Pavilion Rentals 7
Visit: www.cityhs.net
Seasonal Reminders 8
Like us on Facebook:
Hot Springs Parks & Trails Summer Concert Series Finale
Growing Healthy Communities-
Adair Park Concert Series
Hot Springs
Friends of the Parks
OUR STAFF Provided by Ned Skoog

Director Garland County Food Day 9
Anthony Whittington
Landscape Superintendent Seeds of Peace Festival 11

Brian Fisher Northwoods Photo Contest Cont. 13
Parks Superintendent
David Watkins Playground 15
Larry Golden Fundraiser
Office Manager
Kathleen Fason Boo with a Badge 17

Secretary Trail Footnotes 18
Jennifer Shinn Provided by Ken Freeman

Northwoods Full Moon Ride Series 21

Trail Etiquette 22

Trails in Your City Parks 23

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• 9/2 September is:
Labor Day (City Offices will be closed in
observance of the holiday) Better Breakfast Month
Classical Music Month
• 9/3 Little League Month
Trail Watch Volunteer Training, Honey Month
(by appointment only) Self Improvement Month
111 Opera Street,
5:30 p.m. Special Days:

• 9/10 Labor Day 2
Arts Advisory Committee meeting,
Parks & Trails Conference Room, Grandparent’s Day 8
111 Opera Street, Ste. A,
12:00 p.m. 911 Remembrance Day 11

• 9/19 Friday the 13th 13
Parks & Trails Advisory Committee,
Parks & Trails Conference Room, National Pepperoni
111 Opera Street, Ste. A,
5:00 p.m. Pizza Day 20

• 9/24 Autumn Equinox 23
Urban Forestry Advisory Committee,
Parks & Trails Conference Room, Johnny Appleseed Day 26
111 Opera Street, Ste. A,
6:00 p.m. National Public

• 9/26 Lands Day 28
Friends of the Parks meeting
Chamber of Commerce
659 Ouachita Ave.
11:30 a.m.

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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).

Please Remember…. Flowers in Parks and on Trails
Motorized Vehicles
are NOT allowed on are beautiful. Please leave
Trails.
them in place for all

For your protection please be aware patrons to enjoy!

of the presence of FIRE ANTS.

Although treated on a regular basis,

fire ants are particularly prone to be

active in parks and especially after a

rain shower. Please be alert!

The Final Weekend of the Summer Concert Series
is packed with great entertainment!
Thursday, September 5

Section Eight

6 pm - 9 pm

Friday, September 6

Wildside

7:30 pm - 9 pm

Saturday, September 7

KK & The Reverend Blues
Revival

6 pm - 9 pm

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The City of Hot Springs Parks & Trails Department is
extending an open invitation to all individuals, bands,
school and church choir groups, quartets, and all variety of
instrumentalists who are interested in playing music at
Adair Park, 358 Central Avenue, in downtown Hot Springs
on Friday and Saturdays starting the second weekend in
September and running through the end of the year. Time
slots will be during the hours of 6-9 pm on Friday nights
and 11 am-9 pm on Saturdays.
All interested parties can fill out an application online at
www.cityhs.net on the Parks & Trails page. Please include
the date you are interested in performing so we can confirm
availability.
Thank you for supporting live music in Hot Springs!

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Ned Skoog, Hot Springs Friends of the Parks has an interest in planning
President for future parks and trails as well as, of course, for
implementing as much of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master
To renew your member- Plan as quickly as possible. It is sometimes difficult for your
ship or become a “Park Friends of the Parks Board of Directors to determine how to
Friend” mail your annual allocate their time and efforts to accomplish the most good
membership fee for our community. We currently have people working on
Family-$35 projects as diverse as investigating a possible rails-with-
Adult-$25 trails to Mountain Pine (Lake Ouachita) and formulating
Youth-$10 recommendations for trail budget priorities for the Parks and
Business-$50 Trails Department’s 2020 budget submission.
Organization-$50 Since we didn’t organize and put on the Du for the Parks
to: Friends of the Parks duathlon to raise funds this year, we’ve been discussing
possible events that we could put on, and have decided to
P.O. Box 996 offer our fellow citizens the opportunity to participate in a
Hot Springs, AR Thanksgiving Day turkey trot event. The family friendly 5K
71902-0996 run/walk will utilize the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail
as the course route, and we will appropriately call it the
Huff, Puff, and then Stuff, in recognition of the meal that is
traditionally eaten latter in the day. Start planning now to
bring your family out on Thanksgiving Day morning to get a
little exercise before feasting. If you, or someone you know,
would like to sponsor this event, please let us know soon,
so that we can get our sponsors appropriate recognition.
Whether it’s long term or short term planning, we have
plenty of projects to work on and appreciate whatever you
can do to help out, and of course, help us get our planned
multi-use trails TO THE LAKES!

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When you drive through downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas, you can’t help but notice the
beauty, the history, the architecture, and inviting atmosphere of a community that hosts
thousands of visitors every year. From fountains to banners, from landscaped medians to the
beloved hanging flower baskets, the Parks & Trails Department works hard to keep
downtown Hot Springs beautiful for its citizens and visitors.

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The newly renovated tennis courts
at Kimery Park’s George Caristianos
Tennis Facility were opened following a
ribbon cutting ceremony last month. The
renovation included resurfacing of all seven
tennis courts and installation of new nets.
Stripes were also added for six pickleball
courts on the back three tennis courts, and
portable pickleball nets were purchased.
The facility is the home of the Hot Springs
Trojans and Lady Trojans Tennis programs.
Prep work for the project began June 2,
2019, and the contractor was CBE Tennis,
Inc., of Little Rock.
The Parks & Trails Department crews in-
stalled new Edison bulbs at Kenneth Adair
Memorial Park, 358 Central Avenue, in
downtown Hot Springs. The lights add
much needed lighting to the park for
nighttime performances. The lights are a
permanent installation and are on a timer
system. Let us know what you think about
the lights and the Summer Concert Series
that has had the park full on weekends this
summer.

The Majestic fountain, located in downtown
Hot Springs, is maintained and cleaned by
the Parks & Trails Department. During the
summer months, visitors from around the
world comment on the beauty of the circular
fountain. During the holiday months the
water is turned off to allow installation of a
lighted fountain.
Our thanks to the city’s Public Information
Department for this beautiful photo.

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The deadline for photos has been extended through October.
Winners will be announced in the December edition of this newsletter.

The contest is now open to ALL residents of the United States.

Contest Rules:

1) All photos must be in JPEG file format (.jpg or .jpeg).

2) Any size photo will be accepted.

3) Photographers name and contact information should be included with each
photo along with the name of the trail section, trailhead, jump, lake, etc. that is
shown in the photo.

4) You may submit a maximum of three (3) photographs in the contest.

5) You must obtain consent from anyone whose image is identifiable in the photo.

6) You may mail your entries to Northwoods Photo Contest, P.O. Box 700, Hot
Springs, AR. 71902 or email your entries to [email protected].

7) Call 501-321-6871 if you have any questions about the contest.

50 oz. CamelBak Hydrobak Crankbrothers M19 Bicycle 25 oz. CamelBak Podium
Multi-Tool - Steel Bike Tool Big Chill Insulated Water
Bottle
Hex and Chain Tool
Compatible

A brief ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 6,
2019, acknowledged the donation of
a bench in a beautiful spot on the Hot
Springs Creek Greenway Trail
(HSCGT) by Freddy Padilla of the
City of Hot Springs Urban Forestry
crew and his siblings in honor of their
late parents.
The green bench was placed on a
slate rock base overlooking the creek
and adjoins the trail near the Holly-
wood Park trailhead. Installation was
completed by Parks & Trails crew
members.
Padilla’s sister and brother-in-law,
Janet and Troy Blankenship, were in
town to attend the ceremony from
their home in Brownsville, Tennes-
see. Other siblings involved in the
bench donation are William and Peter
Padilla.
The bench was “donated in loving
memory of (their) parents David P.
McNally, Cathy A. Stoots, and Jimmy
R. Padilla,” reads a placard placed
near the bench.
Additional opportunities are available
for bench donations on the
HSCGT. For more information,
contact Parks & Trails Director Antho-
ny Whittington at 501-321-6870 or
[email protected].

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Parks crews worked to replace old wood
mulch in playgrounds at Entergy Park,
530 Lakepark Drive with new rubber
mulch. The new mulch is a better
alternative since it does not attract pests
and will not decay or rot, providing a
long-lasting, safe playground surface. It
is non-toxic, odorless and since it does
not absorb water it allows water and
fertilizer to reach the soil beneath.
Both playgrounds are now filled with the
new rubber mulch which will be cleaned
regularly.
Parks & Trails crews will continue their
schedule to replace all playground safety
surfaces by 2025.
If you have any questions or
comments regarding the new rubber
mulch, please call our office at
501-321-6871.

All City Parks are Smoke-Free
facilities including all Electronic
Smoking Devices

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Ken Freeman, The Trail Guy

It may not feel like fall yet, temperature wise, but judging by the leaves falling in
the Trail Guy’s yard and on the trails, the trees are signaling that it can’t be far
away. If you have been reluctant to get out on our trails, it’s time to make up for
that, and schedule some outings for yourself, or join in with one organized by
someone else.
On a recent rainy Saturday morning, the Trail
Guy came upon an extended family group on Hot
Springs Creek Greenway Trail. They were
enjoying the cooler temperatures that the
sprinkles were providing. Dennis and Lili Taylor
of Hot Springs were getting grandparent time
with their grandson Benny, and his parents, Ben
and Susi Viguerie of Fayetteville. And, even at
his young age, Benny, knew that a creek was for
playing in. If we put children in a natural
environment, it’s amazing how quickly they’ll find
a stick, a nut, a leaf, or a bug to entertain
themselves with. They can teach us adults a lot
about enjoying what we are so lucky to have in
the way of nature around us on our trails. If you
have children or grandchildren in the area, see
the ad in this newsletter for our annual
Tikes, Trikes, and Trails along with Take
A Kid Mountain Biking Day on Saturday,
October 12th.
One day this past month, the City’s Public
Information Officer, Aaron Street
organized a short video based on bicycle
safety using some of our local bicyclists
and Officer Sam Spencer the Hot Springs
Police Department’s bicycle patrol officer.
The video will air on Resort Cable
Channel 12 starting on September 16th
and will be on YouTube. My thanks to Bill Richardson, Maxine Dickerson, and
Bruce and Cindy Smith for being bicycle actors in our video. Please be safety
conscious when you’re out on the trails, whether you are on a bike or on foot, and
be friendly and courteous to other trail users. As always, the important thing is to
get outside on a trail and have fun this month. See you on a trail!

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Wanna howl at the moon with the Northwoods crew? Shred Valkyrie and Blue Jay by the light of the

full moon? Well, turns out, you’ll have 10 chances to join others on a monthly FULL MOON GROUP RIDE in the
Northwoods.

The ride will be a no drop beginner to intermediate group ride. The route will depend on the skill level of the
participants. Rides will be around an hour on the trails. Interested riders will meet at the trailhead at 6:00 and begin
the ride by 6:30. It will be dark by the time riders return to the trailhead.

All riders must have a mountain bike in working order, helmet, front white light, rear red Light, back-up light source,
and water to hydrate.

After the ride, participants will continue the fun with a little grillin' and some tunes. Bring a chair! Don’t miss the fun...
Come shred with us by the light of the moon!

Sponsored by: Superior Bathhouse Brewery, Spa City Cycling, Parkside Cycle and Visit Hot Springs!

Who: All mountain bikers/All skill levels
What: Full Moon Rides
Where: Northwoods, Waterworks Trailhead
When: 5:30 p.m.
COST: FREE
Why: Full moons are awesome and mountain bikes are too.

*Contingent on weather, Follow Northwoods Trails - Hot Springs Trail Conditions Facebook group for weather
updates leading up to each event!

Full Schedule of Series includes (based on Farmers' Almanac):
March 20 - Full Worm Moon
April 19 - Full Pink Moon
May 18 - Full Flower Moon
June 17 - Full Strawberry Moon
July 16 - Full Buck Moon
August 15 - Full Sturgeon Moon
September 14 - Full Harvest Moon
October 13 - Full Hunter’s Moon
November 12 - Full Beaver Moon
December 12 - Full Cold Moon

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

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
1/4 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 1/5 mile
Yes 1 Mile
Playground Connector Trail Asphalt No 1/2 Mile
Pavilion on the Point Asphalt Yes 1/4 Mile
Sunnybrook Connector Trail Asphalt Yes
1/4 Mile
Family Park - 215 Family Park Rd Asphalt No 1/2 Mile
2/3 Mile
Hill Wheatley Park - 688 Majestic Lodge Rd Natural Surface No 1/2 Mile
Yes 1/4 Mile
Hinsley Park - Kingsway and Meadowlake Natural Surface 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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