Preserving Siloam ’ s Natural Beauty
| By Rachel Bevill-Cottrell Special to Siloam Springs Community Guide
Siloam Springs takes being a part of The Natural State to heart . As yet another way to serve the community , Siloam Springs participates in the Northwest Arkansas Open Space Plan . According to the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission ( NWARPC ), this plan is intended to “ develop a coordinated , voluntary program to protect and promote the region ’ s most valued natural landscapes and open spaces .” Much like the revitalization and preservation efforts that the City of Siloam Springs is seeking with its Kayak Park , being a part of the Open Space Plan includes preserving the natural assets of the community and maintaining a high quality of life throughout unprecedented economic growth .
According to data from the Northwest Arkansas Council , Northwest Arkansas is rising rapidly in terms of population . Now marked to become the nation ’ s 100th largest metropolitan area with an estimated population growth of 36 individuals per day , it is more crucial than ever to take a deeper look into the area ’ s groundwork and understand how this rapidly expanding core infrastructure affects the natural , historic sites that make Northwest Arkansas a beautiful place to live . Developed in 2016 , the Open Space Plan is the basis of the environmental component of the NWARPC Metropolitan Transportation Plan .
While the NWARPC
Metropolitan Transportation Plan seeks to accommodate an estimated 58 % population growth by 2030 by implementing innovations for transportation , real estate , businesses , and more , the Open Space Plan is pivotal in preserving the places that “ support outdoor activities for the community , protect the water supply from pollution , conserve habitat for native plants and animals , and ensure the quality of life for all residents .” Without conservation , The Natural State is no longer natural , and infrastructure will fail to keep up with the influx of new residents . Open Space Mapping The Open Space Steering Committee strategically mapped areas in Northwest Arkansas that would function as priorities in conversation and management by creating five main input maps :
• Natural resources
• Outdoor recreation
• Working lands
• Heritage and cultural resources
• Cores and corridors
Working with the NWARPC , Siloam Spring ’ s natural beauty is identified on these maps . These maps can be found online at www . nwarpc . org .
Siloam Springs and Open Spaces
Siloam Springs hosts many natural sites that are part of the mapped out open spaces prioritization areas , and holds a spot with the representatives on the Open Space Steering Committee . One of the steps
22 • SILOAM SPRINGS COMMUNITY GUIDE 2024
taken by Siloam Springs for this project included hosting public workshops that allowed community members to tell project planners what open spaces they value and to provide the community with information regarding the project ’ s goals , scope ,
Sager Creek Mountain Bike Trail discoversiloam . com
schedule , input received and work completed to-date . These workshops included “ favorite places ” mapping to prioritize specific areas in each of the five mapping categories . The Kayak Park at Fisher Ford , on the Illinois River , was one of the locations identified and has recently taken steps in preserving the riverbanks and limiting overcapacity .
Staff and residents alike have worked with the NWARPC to develop an open spaces plan that is crucial to the infrastructure and natural groundwork of Siloam Springs . Being a part of the Open Space Plan helps the City of Siloam Springs to receive grants , funding and support in order to uphold the integrity of its valued wildlife and the natural , open space areas in its capacity .
Parks and Recreation Responsibilities
The Siloam Springs Parks and Recreation Division is the centerpoint in continuing the open spaces work in the community . Listed as their key responsibilities are :
• Maintaining green spaces : Preserve and beautify the city parks , playgrounds , trails and open spaces while committing to sustainable practices to ensure these areas remain lush and inviting for generations to come .
• Recreational programs : Offer a diverse range of recreational programs and activities that cater to the interests and needs of community memberspromote