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City Celebrates West Park Playground Opening

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Batesville Parks and Recreation Department held a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the establishment of the West Park playground.

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The West Park playground, a unique and innovative project, is the result of a shared vision between community partners and the City of Batesville's Parks and Recreation Department. It stands as a physical testament to our community's dedication to enhancing children's developmental growth. The playground's interactive and engaging equipment is specifically crafted to foster the development of fine and gross motor skills. It's a space where families can enjoy outdoor play and exploration, knowing that they are nurturing their children's connection to nature and bolstering their overall development.

Jamie Rayford, Chief Operating Officer of the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, noted, "Connecting children to nature became an obvious and comprehensive strategy in supporting their developmental needs while realizing the city's vision for its parks."

Data collected from the Cities Connecting Children to Nature cohort and the Excel by 8 coalition was shared with Parks Director Jeff Owens. The goal was to explore how we could best ensure that young children in our community are developing fine and gross motor skills and social competence with their peers.

"Through the cohort, we decided to conduct a community parks audit," Rayford continued. "However, we needed experts to observe a variety of factors related to play. The then-5th-grade students at Sulphur Rock Elementary, along with their EAST Facilitator, Ms. Jenine Ottaway, assisted us in completing the parks audit and identifying gaps in the quality and features of our parks."

Community partner collaboration was instrumental in realizing the vision and establishing the playspace, which includes equipment specifically designed for younger children to enhance motor coordination, facilitate interaction with caregivers, and embrace a nature-based theme. The partnerships have greatly improved the park's appeal and functionality, making it a place where families can come together, and children can thrive.

Mayor Rick Elumbaugh recognized the partnerships and individuals who contributed to the park project, including Parks Director Jeff Owens, White River Planning and Development Community Development Coordinator Carrie McIntosh, Batesville School District Superintendent Dr. Ken James, and the Arkansas Parks, Tourism, and Heritage Department. "It's a win-win. You know you've done it right when you see school buses from various districts visiting the park. That's what it's all about. This neighborhood has so many kids who don't have the opportunity to walk to the community center or Riverside Park." The new playspace complements the existing pavilion and splash pad, which opened in 2022.

"With so much alignment these days between students, resources, and schools, everything comes together, and it's all about quality of life in Arkansas," said Shae Lewis, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism and Director of State Park. "The Park is the perfect case study — that we can use to share with other communities across the state — of what happens when people come together and find solutions to provide recreational opportunities."

"West Park playground is an excellent example of Arkansans enjoying nature and participating in outdoor recreation, which aligns with Governor Sanders' focus on promoting outdoor activities," concluded Lewis.

The collaborative project, which brought together numerous partners like the City of Batesville's Park and Recreation Department, Excel by 8, Sulphur Rock Elementary EAST students, White River Planning and Development, The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, helps achieve IMPACT Independence County goals of increasing quality of life in Independence County and significantly contributes to our becoming the healthiest county in Arkansas.

The new playground is located by the West Splash Pad, near the intersection of North Hill Street and East Carter Street in West Batesville. This strategic location ensures that it is easily accessible for families and children in the neighborhood, making it a true community asset.

Ambassadors in attendance include Adam Curtwright (Centennial Bank), Andrea Bruner (Network of Community Options), Ashley Engles (Citizens Bank), Cassidy Mitchell (Lyon College), Katelyn Holt (Family Chiropractic Care), Lindy Hopper (First Community Bank), Lori Campbell (Batesville School District), Lori Tacker (Batesville Eye Care Center), Mary Duvall (Bad Boy, Inc), Meredith Simmons (Home Instead ), Megan Renihan (Batesville School District), Michael Kelley (Peco Foods), Rickie Westbrook (Centennial Bank), Seanna Horn (Lyon College), Silje Antonsen (Venture Realty Group), Tiffany Traw (UACCB), Jesse Cargill (UAMS), and Julie Hinkle (Bank of Cave City).
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