Parks and Rec offers activities for locals and tourists
By Marc Hayot | Siloam Springs Herald-Leader
Photo courtesy of Megan Whitworth Kids race up the path at Memorial Park during Fourth Friday
Photo courtesy of Megan Whitworth Attendees of the Hispanic Heritage Festival check out the vendors .
Siloam Springs would not be the city it is without its Parks and Recreation Department .
Parks and Recreation works to bring family friendly events , programming and projects to residents and visitors to the city and engage in different projects to enhance the city .
Park projects
Parks and Recreation recently completed the conversion of the tennis courts at Bob Henry Park , 500 W . Benton St ., to pickleball courts , Director Travis Chaney said .
The city held a grand opening for the six new pickleball courts in May , Chaney said . Tennis enthusiasts need not worry because Siloam Springs High School recently completed construction on eight new tennis courts at the new athletic complex at the high school , 700 N . Progress Ave .
The tennis courts are available to the public when the Siloam Springs School District does not use them thanks to an agreement between the city and the school district .
“ Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport ,” Chaney said . “ So that was a big thing that we were able to accomplish .”
The Parks and Recreation Department also will help maintain the trails on the Arkansas side of the Arkansas / Oklahoma border between the city and the WOKA
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Whitewater Park . WOKA is at 474986 Twin Falls Road near Watts , Okla ., Chaney said .
In a partnership with the Grand River Dam Authority , Northwest Arkansas Land Trust and Trailblazers , the city helped to bring new walking and biking trails that will connect WOKA to Arkansas Highway 59 , Chaney said .
The trails on the Oklahoma side was maintained by the Trailblazers and a volunteer group called Ozark Off-Road Cyclists , Chaney said .
“ The hope was to build something almost like Coler ( Mountain ) Bike Preserve in Bentonville , and it ’ s really similar ,” Chaney said . “ There are about six miles of paved greenway , then , coming off of that paved greenway there are also about 15 miles of mountain bike trails .”
Park programs
Parks and Recreation offers different programs for residents and visitors . This year , the department focused on adult fitness programs , Chaney said .
“ We ’ ve got a new yoga class that ’ s been really popular ,” Chaney said .
Approximately 30 to 40 people attend yoga courses at 6:30 p . m . Mondays at the Parks and Recreation office , 401 W . University St ., Chaney said .
Line-dancing classes are offered Friday nights at the Parks and Recreation office ,
according to the parks website . The Absolute Basics Class begins at 5:30 p . m . and Fast Pace Basics Class starts at 7 p . m ., the website states .
Parks and Recreation also offers Tai Chi at 9 a . m . Saturdays at the Parks and Recreation office , the website states . All fitness classes are free , the website states .
Children also have the chance to participate in many sports programs , Chaney said . Parks and Recreation has Iddy Biddy sports programs for three and four-year-olds , Chaney said .
This year , Parks and Recreation added Iddy Biddy baseball and softball , Chaney said . There also will be an Iddy Biddy cheer program offered , Chaney said .
Iddy Biddy baseball and Iddy Biddy softball were held April 27 to May 18 , the website states . In June , an Iddy Biddy cheer camp and showcase was held , the website states .
In August , registration will open for Iddy Biddy soccer , the website states . Registration will be held the first week in August , and matches will be played on Saturdays that month , according to a flyer from the Parks and Recreation Department .
Registration for Iddy Biddy basketball will be held the second week in September . The season will start Oct . 19 and go through Nov . 9 , the website states .