Jonesboro wins $189,515 state recreation grant for accessible playground; city outlines warming-center plan ahead of expected snow

The mayor announced on Jan. 7 that Jonesboro was awarded a state outdoor recreation grant of $189,515 to construct a universal accessible playground at Allen Park, with a city-required dollar-for-dollar match.

The mayor also described preparations for an expected snow event: the street department, police, fire, sanitation and parks departments were coordinating removal and access efforts; the parks department will operate warming stations at Earl Bell, Allen Park, Parker Park and the Youth Community Center during specified hours; the Salvation Army will handle overnight sheltering for those needing a place to sleep; and the city's Jet bus system will provide free transportation to the warming centers and the Salvation Army. Sanitation will provide extra roll-off dumpsters at the Salvation Army.

City officials encouraged nonprofit organizations to register with the statewide 211 information line to help residents find humanitarian assistance and warming shelters during extreme weather. The mayor also reminded nonprofits that applications for the city's humanitarian outreach funding pool, totaling $500,000, are due Jan. 15, 2025.

The mayor reported a December open house at the new municipal building that drew what the mayor described verbally as "over 200" attendees; the transcript contains a garbled attendance figure and the mayor's estimate is presented as approximate. A neighborhood cleanup is scheduled for Saturday; the city will decide whether to reschedule depending on weather conditions. The mayor noted Jan. 9 will be the national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter; federal post offices will be closed, while local government offices will remain open.

City staff said they will continue to monitor weather forecasts and coordinate sheltering and transportation as needed.