Council approves parks upgrades, turf and soccer goals; funds police virtual‑reality training

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — At its Dec. 9 meeting the Springdale City Council approved multiple Parks & Recreation projects and a police training equipment purchase funded partly by grant money.

Parks & Recreation Chair Randall Herriman introduced a resolution authorizing an agreement to upgrade the west entryway of the Springdale Recreation Center (the side facing Shiloh) and the purchase of new soccer goals. Council also approved a contract to install artificial turf where the new goals will be placed and waived competitive bidding as permitted by the bond fund rules. Staff said the items will be paid from the 2023 parks and recreation bond fund; public works estimates that after these projects the bond fund will have roughly $300,000–$400,000 remaining and staff are developing additional options to use those funds.

Council also approved a resolution authorizing acquisition of a virtual‑reality training system for the Springdale Police Department. Chief Gamble told the council that an earlier vendor went out of business and staff found a comparable product covered by an Arkansas Public Safety Equipment Grant; the department expects the equipment on site within about a month and welcomed council members to test it.

During the parks discussions, councilors asked about lighting for trails and costs; staff estimated solar lights at about $5,000 each and electric fixtures at about $8,000 each, with spacing every 150–200 feet for the 1,200‑foot JB Hunt Park segment. A resident raised concerns about lighting impacts on wildlife; council asked staff to consider the question when returning with cost options.

Council approved the parks and police items by recorded votes.