Fayetteville residents are showing cautious support for a new neighborhood park planned near Owl Creek, but not without a few conditions.
The project, which would transform a city-owned lot bordered by Owl Creek Drive and Nickoma Drive into a community green space, drew a crowd of neighbors to a public meeting Thursday night. Most were enthusiastic about the idea of having a park within walking distance — especially families with young kids — but they also raised questions about parking, noise, and how the space would handle stormwater runoff.
Zach Foster, a park planner with the City of Fayetteville’s Parks and Recreation Department, presented early design concepts that include a small playground, walking paths, and open lawn space. The proposed 2.5-acre park is one of several smaller neighborhood projects the city hopes to develop as part of its long-range parks plan.
“We’ve been hearing from residents for years that they want more pocket parks, especially in subdivisions that don’t have a lot of existing green space,” Foster said. “This site came up often in community feedback.”
Thursday’s meeting, held at Fayetteville City Hall, gave attendees a chance to weigh in on preliminary ideas. Many liked what they saw — particularly the inclusion of a playground and seating areas — but some longtime residents had specific concerns.
One resident, who lives directly across from the proposed site, asked how the city would manage increased foot traffic and where visitors would park. Another asked whether the park would include restrooms or water fountains, or if it would be maintained after construction.
“I’m all for a park,” said Jennifer Morales, who’s lived in the area for over a decade. “But I don’t want it to become an eyesore because it wasn’t thought out properly.”
Foster said the department is still in the early stages and will continue to incorporate public input as designs move forward. He noted that the park would likely not include restroom facilities, but that the city is considering adding a small paved lot for visitor parking on the site’s eastern edge.
Stormwater management also came up several times. Because the site sits in a natural low area near a creek, some residents worried about flooding during heavy rains. Foster said the design team is working with the city’s engineering division to ensure proper drainage and that any runoff would be filtered before reaching nearby waterways.
The project is still in the conceptual phase and does not yet have a timeline or budget attached. But if approved by the Fayetteville City Council, it could be one of the first new neighborhood parks developed under the city’s updated parks master plan, which was adopted in 2024.
That plan identified several areas in northwest Fayetteville — including neighborhoods near Owl Creek, Nickoma, and Shiloh drives — as lacking adequate park access. The new park would help address that gap, especially for families with children under 12.
Some residents compared the proposed space to other small parks in town, like the one on Buchanan Street or the pocket park near the intersection of M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard and Steele Boulevard. Those locations, they said, are popular but often feel underused or poorly maintained.
“We don’t want to build something nice and then let it fall apart,” said David Chen, a landscape architect who attended the meeting. “Maintenance is just as important as the initial design.”
Foster said the department is aware of those concerns and is working to standardize maintenance plans for all new parks. He added that the city is also exploring partnerships with local volunteer groups to help with upkeep.
For now, the project remains in the public feedback stage. The city plans to host at least one more community meeting this summer, with a finalized design expected by early fall.
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
