The Eureka Springs Parks and Recreation Department has received a grant that will help with the renovation and refurbishing of Basin Spring Park.
Parks director Sam Dudley posted the news on the department’s Facebook page on Tuesday, Dec. 17, and discussed the topic later that night at the monthly meeting of the parks commission. Dudley said a $75,210 grant has been awarded by the Banks Family Foundation for improvements to the park.
“An ENORMOUS thank you to Dr. Roxann Dicker, Todd Banks, and the entire Banks Family Foundation for their generosity and love for our treasured Basin Spring Park,” Dudley wrote in the Facebook post.
Three projects have been prioritized using funds from the grant, but only two were listed in the post, which indicated the third project is a “special surprise.” The first project listed is the planting of trees around the park.
“Not only will these trees help tremendously with providing much needed shade during the hot summer months, but they’ll also showcase beautiful colors in the spring and fall,” Dudley wrote.
Another project listed is the refurbishment of stairs that connect the park’s gazebo to the upper bluff.
“These will be crafted with locally harvested limestone, with a handrail added for extra support,” Dudley wrote.
At the parks commission meeting Tuesday night, Dudley said other landscaping will also be done around the park. He brought a thank-you card for commissioners to sign for the Banks Family Foundation.
RAISES IN 2025 BUDGET
The commission approved the 2025 budget at its monthly meeting, including 5 percent “cost of living” raises for all parks department employees.
Commission chair Mark Ingram noticed when reviewing the budget that Dudley didn’t give himself the 5 percent raise. Despite his hesitance, Dudley agreed to revise the budget to include it.
“We discussed the last time during the workshop that it was across the board,” commissioner Aaron Borey said. “And across the board to me is across the board.”
Ingram agreed. “I think Eureka Springs is very lucky to have somebody as humble as you doing this kind of stuff,” he said to Dudley. “But, that’s the way the world works. When you do an across the board it’s across the board. So, that needs to be added.”
Budget talks also included discussion on upcoming projects.
“This is the first time since I’ve been on the commission that our total profit/ loss looks to be black as opposed to red….,” Ingram said. “I’m happy with that.
“I think also it’s probably a good thing to say that we expect there will be projects that we will still fund out of reserves, but we will do those on a one-by-one basis. … I think that everybody has agreed that they like that approach. I know Sam does, too.”
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
In addition to notifying the commission of receiving the recent grant for Basin Spring Park, Dudley reported that lodging at Lake Leatherwood continues to be popular.
“We have surpassed the $200,000 mark for lodging,” he said, adding that the department is at approximately $145,000 for the year in general sales for things such as boat rentals.
Dudley also reported that the department got a good report from a recent state audit and gave a thank you to Main Street Eureka for funding the installation of a new handrail for the Crystal Terrace stairway.
“It looks very nice,” Dudley said. “Classy and safe. Those stairs are not up to code so the handrail is sort of an important necessity at this point.”
Four bench plaques were also recently installed by The Serious Toy Company and moved back to Basin Spring Park. Donors paid to have names recognized or memorialized on the plaques, the director said.
FOUNTAIN TALK
The ongoing issue of the sinking fountain at Basin Spring Park was again a topic with Dudley telling commissioners he estimated repair costs at $150,000.
“We are trying to go in as a partnership … the city, CAPC and parks all go in together,” he said. “That’s $50,000 each. That’s a very digestible amount of money. … It’s not a small amount, but it’s doable.”
While fixing the issue has been a topic for many months, commissioners agreed it’s time to address it.
“I think everybody would agree we’re at a point where we almost don’t have a choice,” Ingram said. “This is almost to that point. It’s got to be done.”
The sooner the better, commissioner Rodd Gray said.
“If it were to collapse next week I think we would be pretty embarrassed,” Gray said.
Dudley said he planned to attend a CAPC workshop scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 19, where commissioners are expected to discuss how much money could be used for parks.
“They want to know like just a general list of what we would like to see for next year,” Dudley said. “Let them know what that is and the cost estimate. Part of that will be helping us with, hopefully helping us with the fixing of the fountain.”
Requests for Proposals for repairs to the foundation under the fountain are due to his department by Dec. 30, Dudley said.
“I figured if we were going to do this we have to have everything ready to be able to hit the ground running in January or February,” he said, adding he’d like to have the project complete by Spring Break.
HARMON PARK APARTMENT RENT
Commissioners approved a rent range for a long-term apartment next door to the parks department office at Harmon Park.
The apartment is currently being renovated and should be ready early next year, Dudley said.
A rent range of $1,200 to $1,500 per month was approved with Dudley having the decision on an exact rent to charge. The rent will include electricity, gas and water since the systems are connected to the utilities used at the parks department office.
Commissioners discussed vetting tenants, what a security deposit would entail, the length of the lease and whether pets would be allowed.
“I like the idea of someone [living] there because they can keep an eye on the office overnight,” Dudley said.
Ingram said it would be ideal if someone working with the parks department would be interested in renting the unit.
“There happens to be someone who does,” Dudley replied. “… I think that would be the best scenario across the board.”
Dudley said once the apartment is completed he’d like to schedule a walk-through with commissioners as prospective tenants apply.
“I don’t think it’s rocket science,” Ingram said. “Almost everybody in town has rented something at some point. I mean, how many places have you guys had to rent out, so we kind of know what to look for and what not to look for. I just think we need to decide because as a commission we do set rates for everything.”
‘MONEY IS BEING SPENT VERY WISELY’
In his chair comments Ingram said 2024 has been a great year for the department.
“What a year it’s been for parks,” he said. “Visibly, if you just go around town, you see it. You see things happening. All the things happening at Basin Park, another successful Jamboreeka, the new bridge. I mean these are things just off the top of my head. The new railings. There’s just so many visible things. The trail maps. It’s just so visible. Taxpayer money is being spent very wisely and very visibly… and that is Sam and his crew, but also the commissioners. We’ve had a great group of commissioners who have been committed to do this. … I look forward to another year with the parks because I feel like we knocked it out of the park.
“ … I’ve also had a chance a lot to interact with the parks employees. And we’ve got a fantastic group of people who are very happy to be here, and that in itself is a marvel, right? It’s very reflective of our director for sure.”
