Meet and greet Parks Commissioners

The Pea Ridge Parks Commission is alive and well, after nearly being disbanded.

Several people stepped forward to join even as the City Council had read an ordinance disbanding the commission because there appeared to be no one interested in serving. There are now nine members of the Parks Commission.

The commission members are inviting the public to a "Meet and Greet" at the Pea Ridge City Park on Saturday, May 31, as well as asking people to fill out a survey telling what their desires are about the city parks.

"It is valuable information to have opinions given in a face-to-face basis. We want people to give their opinions -- what they feel the needs are," Larry Whisenhant, commissioner, said. "I didn't know there was more than one park."

Joe Carlson has been chairman of the board for three years. He said several previous members quit after moving out of the city.

"I'm very glad we have more members," he said. "We're in the process of developing a five-year and long-term plan for the parks."

"We're trying to redevelop the parks," Whisenhant said. "We don't want to leave anybody out -- from old duffers like me to youth and young adults."

Carlson said many times the high school age youth feel there is nothing for them at the parks and he welcomes their input on the surveys. "We want to know what we can do for teens."

"Our group has begun to solidify," Whisenhant said. "One problem solved leads to another problem, like the more a park is used, the more space we need for parking."

The survey can be found at several locations in town or online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1D7sMQY-x1xJi5Y3xaEvJX1EUktUnc1ePh9lK6gOcX2Q/viewform?usp=send_form. There is also a Facebook page -- Pea Ridge AR Parks.

See bios for Parks Commissioners on page 7A.

General News on 05/14/2014