The City of Jonesboro has been awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service, through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Program, according to a recent city announcement. The grant, administered by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, will support the development of a long-awaited community park in Northeast Jonesboro.
The project will be funded by a combination of local and external sources. The Jonesboro City Council previously approved a local match of $1,129,675, included in the 2024 annual budget, and the Junior Auxiliary of Jonesboro has committed an additional $100,000 toward the effort.
“This is exciting news for our city and reinforces the great work of our Grants, Parks, and Engineering departments who put together a great application for a long overdue park in Northeast Jonesboro,” said Mayor Harold Copenhaver. “This park is a key investment in the well-being and quality of life for residents of Northeast Jonesboro. We are grateful to the National Park Service, the State of Arkansas, Junior Auxiliary, and both Cornerstone and Journey Churches for their partnership in making this vision a reality.”
The park, planned for the end of Disciple Drive, will span at least 13 acres, with the possibility of expanding to 23 acres pending further land acquisition. It will feature a range of amenities designed to meet the recreational needs of the community, including:
- A fully-accessible adventure playground
- Walking and biking trails
- Tennis and pickleball courts
- A dog park
- Multi-use sports fields
- An expanded entrance road and parking lot
- Ample natural greenspace
The Junior Auxiliary of Jonesboro has played a pivotal role in supporting the project. “When we first met with Mayor Copenhaver about how we could help improve Jonesboro, his pitch for a park in east Jonesboro was an immediate ‘yes’ as it lined up perfectly with our mission to improve lives for local youth,” said Jessica Baker, Junior Auxiliary President. “We are so proud to be a part of this wonderful project.”
