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Council extends Upper Ramble park hours to 3 a.m., approves emergency opening
Summary
Fayetteville amended park operating hours to keep the Upper Ramble open from daylight until 3 a.m., added an emergency clause to allow a Dec. 30 opening and directed staff to monitor safety and maintenance needs.
The Fayetteville City Council voted Dec. 17 to amend the city code to set operating hours for the Upper Ramble park from daylight until 3 a.m., and to include an emergency clause to permit the park plaza to open on Dec. 30, 2024 for a planned event.
Staff and police input: City staff and the police operations division recommended the extended hours after consulting neighborhood and downtown stakeholders, citing business-closing times and the need for a maintenance window after late-night activity. Kit (city attorney) read the ordinance language and the emergency clause permitting the Dec. 30 opening; staff said shared-use paved trails remain open 24 hours.
Council concerns and mitigation: Some council members urged care about access for early-morning users who rely on trails and called for compassionate enforcement. The police chief described a discretionary, outreach-first approach for people present after hours. Council approved suspending rules and advancing to third reading with an emergency clause to allow immediate opening.
What residents should know: Shared-use paved trails (Razorback Regional Greenway) will remain open 24/7. The Upper Ramble’s plaza hours are extended to match downtown activity; staff said the emergency clause supports an immediate ribbon-cutting and New Year’s Eve uses while providing a narrow maintenance window before daylight.
Sources: Staff presentation on park hours, city attorney reading of ordinance and emergency clause, and council debate at the Dec. 17 meeting.
