Parks & Trails October 2017 Newsletter

City of Hot Springs
October 2017 Newsletter

Tikes, Trikes,
and Trails
for Kids of
ALL ages!

(details page 4)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

 Stories in the Park returns!
 Tikes, Trikes, and Trails
 Hollywood Park Castle
 Out of the Darkness
 Boo with a Badge
 AND MORE...

111 Opera Street  10/3
P.O. Box 700 National Night Out

Hot Springs, AR 71902  10/4
Stories in the Park
Call: 501-321-6871 Entergy Park, 530 Lakepark Dr.
Email: [email protected] 10:30 AM

Visit: www.cityhs.net  10/6-7
Hot Water Hills Music Festival—Hill Wheatley Plaza
Like us on Facebook:
Hot Springs Parks & Trails  10/12
Growing Healthy Communities- Stories in the Park—After School Program
Hollywood Park, 411 Hollywood Ave.
Hot Springs 4:00 PM

 10/14
Tikes, Trikes, and Trails (pg. 4)
Entergy Park
10 AM

 10/10
Arts Advisory Committee,
111 Opera Street
12:00 pm

 10/18
Nutrition Education Committee Meeting
111 Opera Street
3:00 pm

 10/19
Parks & Trails Advisory Committee
111 Opera Street
5:00 pm

 10/26
Friends of the Parks,
Chamber of Commerce
659 Ouachita Ave
11:30 am

 10/31 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
Boo with a Badge (pg. 16)

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The inaugural “What’s It Worth” Day, an event benefiting the
City of Hot Springs’ Arts Advisory Committee, will take place
from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 2 at the
Transportation Depot, 100 Broadway Terrace in Hot Springs.
The public is invited to bring art, antiques and curiosities to
receive a roadshow-style valuation by appraisers from Moran
Antique & Fine Art Auctioneers, one of America’s foremost
auction houses.

“Everyone has something at home – a treasure or family
heirloom or a great curiosity,” says Dale Blackwelder, Chairman,
Arts Advisory Committee. “This is your chance to find out how
much it’s worth and to support a good cause at the same time.”

Four fine art and decorative art appraisers will be on hand to
review and provide a fair market valuation for paintings, prints,
jewelry, pottery, glass, rugs, furniture, books, manuscripts and
more. Those who have an object they want reviewed that is too
big to transport can bring several photographs of the work with
details.

There is a $5 fee per object, for up to five objects per person.
The event accepts cash and checks only; there is an ATM nearby.

Proceeds will be used to help maintain the Arts Advisory Committee’s ongoing efforts in securing new
sculpture, maintaining existing sculpture and producing the annual Upcycle Sculpture Festival, an
outdoor exhibition of sculpture made from recycled materials, next to be held on April 21, 2018. The
outdoor sculpture can be seen throughout downtown and along the Hot Springs Creek Greenway and
Sculpture Garden.

The event will take place “rain or shine.” There is free parking adjacent to the depot. For more
information about the “What It’s Worth” fundraiser and the Upcycle Sculpture Festival, email
[email protected]. The Arts Advisory Committee works in cooperation with the Hot Springs Parks &
Trails Department.

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Tikes, Trikes, and Trails (TTT) has been

held every fall since 2006 as part of

IMBA’s “Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day”.

The event is open for kids of all ages to

come walk or ride the trails at Entergy

Park in Hot Springs. That means

everything from toddlers on Hot Wheels,

bikes with training wheels, moms with

strollers, skateboards and scooters are

welcome (motorized vehicles are

excluded). TTT has continued to grow

each year thanks to City of Hot Springs

Trails Coordinator Ken Freeman and his

wife Tracy who were eager to share their Group photo before the start of the 2016 TTT event
knowledge and love of bicycling on trails

with others. Everyone enjoys the paved trail portion of the event first before the older youth, who are

interested, branch off for the mountain biking portion. For this second portion participants are on a natural

surface trail with experienced mountain bike riders who guide youth along the trails assisting them up steep

inclines and around corners. These experts, with years of collective experience on trails all over the country,

share tips and tricks for maneuvering natural surfaces. Participants receive a certificate and t-shirt each year.

The event is co-sponsored by the City of Hot Springs Parks & Trails, Hot Springs Bicycle Association, Parkside

Cycle, and IMBA. We are thrilled to have newly added local sponsor Spa City Cycling joining the event in 2017.

A large number of volunteers come each year to help out with the event.
They assist with registration, bicycle inspections, helmet checks, handing
out water, snacks, t-shirts and certificates, taking pictures, and helping
guide youth along the trails. The Hot Springs Police Department spares
their downtown bicycle policeman to come and ride the trails during the
event. It’s a great way for youth to meet an officer and grow a bond along
the trail that can last a lifetime. Hot Springs Intermediate School Youth
Council members have also come to volunteer and participated in the
event the last two years.

Over the last ten years families whose children have grown up on the
trails at Entergy Park have forged friendships, learned a respect and love
of nature, gained self-esteem and physical fitness. More families are
moving to the area each year and are looking for outdoor recreation
programs they can all enjoy. Tikes, Trikes, and Trails will continue to
provide that opportunity for Hot Springs residents and visitors.

Bicycle Officer Sam Spencer on the trail at
Entergy Park during the 2016 TTT event.

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Take A Kid Tikes,

Mountain Trikes,

Biking Day & Trails

Riders will be introduced to basic If it rolls or strolls, it fits! Strollers,
mountain biking skills by an experienced wagons, big wheels, tricycles, bicycles
mountain bike rider. Youth age 9 and up
with or without training wheels (no
will be supervised on the trail & will motorized vehicles please). Come join
complete at least one loop of the .75 mile the parade! All age groups will be on

natural surface Water Tower Loop Trail. a .25 mile paved, accessible trail.

All bikes will be inspected on-site by event officials & helmets are required.
Skill level of the riders will determine which group they will ride with.

All riders receive certificates of participation. Snacks and water will be available.

Registration begins at 9:30 am
Event starts at 10:00 am

Sponsored by:

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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).

We are thrilled to announce that this
Community Recreation Program is
returning to the parks at 10:30 AM on

Wed. Oct. 4 at Entergy Park

and After School at 4:00 PM on

Thu. Oct 12 at Hollywood Park

Our thanks to the Garland County
Library for coordinating and sharing
stories and to Friends of the Garland
County Library for providing snacks and
drinks for children who attend. Program
lasts approximately one hour.

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Since the turn of the
century the fantasy theme
of Hollywood Park has been
sparking the imaginations
of visitors young and old.
Its castle towers, wooden
walkways and bridges, and
dragon sculpture invite
the mind to explore and
create.

Recently Parks and Trails
(P&T) crews restored the
castle roofs which had
weathered over the years. P&T employee Chris Baber also recreated the beautiful Sun
and Moon painting and astrological symbols under one tower roof.

Doing the repairs in-house saved the city
an estimated $1,750 over the lowest
contractor bid received.

“We are very fortunate to have such an
efficient crew and talented artistic
employee on staff,” said Parks & Trails
Director Jean Wallace.

Flags will be added to the top of the castle
towers soon to complete the renovations.

We encourage you to visit the newly
restored Hollywood Park castle today and
set your imagination free!

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Stephen Mullins, 22, showed
off some moves on his
skateboard over the Labor Day
weekend. He and several
others were happy to help us
collect some photos of the
Valley Street Skatepark for the
city’s website and for possible
use by the Hot Springs
Advertising and Promotion
commission.

Our thanks to Stephen. Also
thanks to Peggy, Jack and Katy
Thompson, Hayden Dalton,
Haydn Yancey, Nick, McKenzie,
Riley, and Haiden Mull,
Jonathan Jaramillo, Quinn
SmithPeters, Cole and Gunner
Jones, and Roy Thomas.

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Many citizens and visitors commented on how
beautiful the hanging baskets were this year.
Parks & Trails crews removed the baskets from
the downtown polls on Thursday, September
28, and began installing the Holiday Lights
Displays in downtown Hot Springs. If you’ve
been downtown you’ve probably noticed the
holispheres hanging in the trees at Hill
Wheatley Plaza. Their bright, colorful glow is a
big hit with citizens and visitors during the
holiday season.

Our thanks to Traffic Services for the use of their
bucket truck.

Crews will continue installing various displays
throughout the downtown area leading up to
the Tom Daniel Holiday Chili Cook off when the
lights will be turned on.

L-R: Parks & Trails Director and City Liaison to the AAC The Hot Springs Arts Advisory
Jean Wallace; Vice Chair Nan Cameron; Erma Committee (aided by Erin Holliday of
Steelsmith; June Simmons; Shun Ying Chen; Carol Emergent Arts) drafted a Community
Katchen; Sarah Stringer and Michael Preble. Mural Guidelines and Application Form
at its September 12, 2017 meeting. As
Committee members not pictured are Chair Dale Black- soon as these guidelines are approved
welder and Jim Miller. by the City Board, they will be added to
the city’s website. The AAC’s hope is
that this streamlined process will result
in additional public art murals through-
out the city.

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Ken Freeman, aka “The Trail Guy”

The Trail Guy wants to start this month’s

report with a salute to the volunteers of the

Parks and Trails Department’s Trail Watch group.

It is such a good feeling when I see one of these

hi-viz-yellow vest-clad volunteers along one of

our trails. I particularly wish to extend my thanks

this month to Trail Watch volunteer John

Nichols, who often walks all of the trails at

Entergy Park and then drives to Hot Springs Creek

Greenway Trail (HSCGT) and rides his bike end to

end there. The Trail Watch volunteers are great Trail Watch Volunteer John Nichols and his dog Lucy on greenway
trail ambassadors and offer assistance and

answer questions when needed. I encourage all of you trail using advocates to consider becoming a Trail

Watch volunteer, and be sure to say hi and to thank Trail Watch volunteers when you see one.

As you will see elsewhere in this Newsletter, October
14th is the annual Tikes, Trikes, and Trails/Take A Kid

Mountain Biking Day at Entergy Park. If you don’t

have children of your own, borrow some and bring

them, a bike, and a helmet, and be prepared to have

some fun.

The “Couch 2 5K” running clinic put on by Spa Pacers

running club continues this month (details pg. 16), so

if you’re on HSCGT between 5:45 and 6:45 p.m. on

Tuesdays or Thursdays, and see a group of walkers or

runners, congratulate them for committing to be

healthier. One day this month a bicycling group was

Family photo before enjoying a ride along the greenway spotted on HSCGT and the Trail Guy couldn’t resist
wanting a photo of them as the highlighted trail users

for this Newsletter. As it turns out, it was an extended family group of Mike Hardage with wife, son,

daughter, grandson, as well as sister and her husband. It was lucky for me that they had Kurt Myers riding

along with them to take a photo. A family enjoying an early evening bike ride is all of the evidence I need

for promoting the worth of multi-use trails like the HSCGT. Further

south on the HSCGT corridor for future trail, construction activity

continues on the H.O.T. Trail (Happy ‘Ole Troll Trail), officially

named the Utility Services Center Trail Phase III. Work on

establishing the proper trail grade next to the creek under the Golf

Links Road bridge continues, and the trail south of the bridge is

almost ready for paving. Try to be patient. I think you will find that

it will be worth the wait. See you on the trails!

Ken Freeman 10
Trails Coordinator

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
Chattanooga Park - 530 Chattanooga St Asphalt Yes 1/4 Mile

Desoto Park - 1700 Park Ave Asphalt Yes 1/5 Mile

Family Park - 215 Family Park Rd Asphalt Yes 1/5 mile

Entergy Park - 530 Lakepark Dr Asphalt Yes 1/4 Mile
North Loop Trail Asphalt Yes 2/10 Mile
Wildlife Observation Trail Natural Surface No 3/4 Mile
Water Tower Loop Trail
Natural Surface No 1/5 Mile
Lakefront Trail
Natural Surface No 1/2 Mile
Fenceline Trail
Natural Surface No 1/10 Mile
Eagle Scout Trail Asphalt Yes 1/10 Mile
Playground Connector Trail Asphalt No 1/10 Mile
Pavilion on the Point Asphalt Yes 3/10 Mile
Sunnybrook Connector Trail Natural Surface No 1 Mile
Hill Wheatley Park - 688 Majestic Lodge Rd Natural Surface No 1/2 Mile
Hinsley Park - Kingsway and Meadowlake Asphalt Yes 1/4 Mile
Wade Street Park - 300 Wade St
Concrete Yes 1/4 Mile
Hot Springs Creek Greenway- Asphalt Yes 1/2 Mile
Transportation Plaza Trail Concrete Yes 2/3 Mile
Valley Street Creekwalk Asphalt Yes 1/2 Mile
Jaycee Trail and Friendship Park Trail Asphalt Yes 1/4 Mile
Hollywood Trail Asphalt Yes 1/4 Mile
Blue Heron Trail
Utility Service Center Trail

Get involved in your “Thriving Community”
and help us grow healthy in Hot Springs!

Choose the committee you are interested in
and contact a leader to learn more.

Community Gardens:

Jodie Sprague - President of the HS Area CG Network

Phone: 501-802-3469

Email: [email protected]

Dave Reagan - Volunteer, Park Haven CG

Phone: 501-538-8283

Email: [email protected]

Walkability:

Jean Wallace - Director, City of Hot Springs Parks & Trails

Phone: 501-321-6870

Email: [email protected]

Nutrition Education:

Alisha Chatman, Levi Hospital, Director of Community Health

Phone: 501-622-3325

Email: [email protected]

Worksite Wellness:

Minnie Lenox - Director, City of Hot Springs Human Resources

Phone: 501-321-6840

Email: [email protected]

Food Day was a great success at the Farmers Market on Saturday, September 23. The event
sponsored by Growing Healthy Communities-Hot Springs, Levi Hospital, and the Historic
Downtown Farmers Market saw an increase in volunteers to assist with tables where Food
Nutrition, Meal Planning, Cooking Matters, Healthy Snacks, and planting your own food
were discussed. Event Coordinator Alisha Chatman, Director of Community Health at Levi
Hospital, gave a big shout of thanks out to all of this years volunteers who worked hard to
plan and organize a fantastic community event. We were thrilled see so many sign up for
future Cooking Matters courses in Hot Springs and we’ll share those details once they are
available.

 Clockwise from upper left: Event Coordinator Alisha Chatman
(left) stands with two Levi Hospital volunteers ready to greet
participants and get them signed up.

 Pat Smith, author of “It’s All About the Food” stands at her
table where she spoke with event participants about food
and nutrition.

 Gaye Harper, Garland County Master Gardener, holds seeds
in the palm of her hand for one little girl to plant.
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15

2017 Out of the Darkness Community Walk
Saturday, October 28 at Entergy Park
Start Time: 10:00 am

Early registration at https://afsp.org
“American Foundation for Suicide Prevention”

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