NEWS--Association Co-Hosts Groundbreaking Ceremony at Whittington City ParkOn Thursday, August 9th, 2012, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Whittington City Park. Elected officials, members of the community and city officials attended the groundbreaking which signified the continuing effort by the City and the Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association to improve and rehabilitate one of Hot Spring’s oldest municipal parks.  Members of the Neighborhood Association and Hot Springs City officials break ground on the new improvements in Whittington City Park. Pictured, left to right: Suzanne Davidson, WVNA member; Jean Wallace, Director Hot Springs Parks and Recreation Department; Hot Springs City Manager David Watkins; Peggy Maruthur, Hot Springs City Director District One; and John Lewis, WVNA Vice President. Photo Credit: Jeff Fields, Hot Springs Public Information Office. At the ceremony, Suzanne Davidson, member of the Neighborhood Association’s Park Improvement Committee observed, “When Whittington City Park first opened in 1973, it was very much a community effort with a local groups such as the Hot Springs' Boy Scouts, the Garland County Dental Society and the Ouachita Job Corps contributing their time and labors to building the park. It is only fitting that today, nearly forty years later, we once again come together as a community to improve and rehabilitate one of Hot Spring's most popular public spaces. I am excited to see this park getting the attention it deserves. Much the credit goes to the Hot Springs’ Parks Department as well as those in the community who worked so hard to make this project a priority.”  Hot Springs City Manager David Watkins, seated, listens as John Lewis, WVNA Vice President, addresses those attending the groundbreaking. Photo Credit: Jeff Fields, Hot Springs Public Information Office. Over the next few months several major improvements will be made in the Park. These include: installing new playground equipment, benches and grills; burying overhead power lines; resurfacing the park’s existing basketball court; and placing new vandalism-resistant bathrooms in the park. Already completed improvements include installing covered trash cans and repairing the pedestrian foot bridge that connects the park to the vehicle lots along Whittington Avenue. Mayor Ruth Carney, who opened the groundbreaking ceremony, said, “I appreciate how our Parks Department is making our city a better place to live and play. I know it’s been a long process and I’m excited to see these improvements underway.” Jean Wallace, Director of the Hot Springs Parks and Recreation Department spoke about the importance of parks to residential neighborhoods. “Well maintained neighborhood parks provide a safe place to connect with nature, relax, socialize, exercise and play,” Wallace said.  City officials discuss the groundbreaking at Whittington City Park. Left to right: Karen Garcia, Hot Springs City Director District 5; Hot Springs Planning Director Kathy Sellman; Hot Springs Mayor Ruth Carney; and Hot Springs City Manager David Watkins. Photo Credit: Jeff Fields, Hot Springs Public Information Office. City Manager David Watkins spoke at the groundbreaking about the commitment of the City’s many employees. “Those who work for the City, especially those outside in the summer heat, are truly the backbone of Hot Springs government and I appreciate all their efforts on behalf of our citizens,” Watkins said. Speaking about the funding for the park improvements, Watkins added, “The use of Community Development Block Grant monies are a great way to leverage scarce city funds to provide a great quality of life for all the residents of Hot Springs.” Other speakers at the groundbreaking included Neighborhood Association Vice President John Lewis and District One City Director Peggy Maruthur. Speaking last, Neighborhood Association President Mark Toth said, “These improvements are the result of a successful partnership between the City of Hot Springs and neighborhood residents and will bring significant tangible benefits to our community.”  Hot Springs Planning Director and Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association Member Suzanne Davidson enjoy light snacks provided by the Association after the groundbreaking ceremony. Photo Credit: WVNA. The improvements in Whittington City Park are being funded through several sources including a 2011 Community Development Block Grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Additional funding is being provided by the City of Hot Springs. The groundbreaking ceremony was jointly hosted by the Hot Springs Parks and Recreation Department and the Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association. After the formal groundbreaking, the assembled group of residents and dignitaries enjoyed light refreshments and snacks provided by the Neighborhood Association. - Posted 8/23/12 by MT NEWS--WVNA to Co-Host Groundbreaking Ceremony at Whittington City ParkOn Thursday, August 9th, 2012, starting at 10:00 am, the Hot Springs Parks and Recreation Department and the Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association (WVNA) will host a groundbreaking ceremony for facility improvements in Whittington City Park, 1201 Whittington Avenue. The ceremony will signify the continuing effort by the City of Hot Springs and the Neighborhood Association to improve and rehabilitate one of Hot Spring’s oldest municipal parks.  The Neighborhood Association and the Hot Springs Parks & Recreation Department will host a ground breaking ceremony for upcoming improvements in Whittington City Park on August 9th, 2012. The public is invited. Light refreshments and snacks will be served after the ceremony. Whittington City Park was first opened to the public in 1973. In 1990, the Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association awarded the park its "Facility of the Year Award" for the recycled geodesic dome installed over the park's concrete pavilion. In 2009, the Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association--incorporating input from area residents--authored a report recommending improvements and upgrades to the park. In 2010 and again 2011, the Neighborhood Association made presentations to the Hot Springs Board of Directors requesting money to improve the park and its facilities; and in both instance the Board of Directors agreed to fund upgrades to the Park. Over the next few months several major improvements will be made in the park. These include: installing new playground equipment, benches and grills; burying overhead power lines; resealing the park’s existing basketball court; and placing new bathrooms in the park. Already completed improvements include installing covered trash cans and repairing the pedestrian foot bridge that connects the park to the vehicle lots along Whittington Avenue. These improvements are being funded through several sources, including a 2011 Community Development Block Grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Additional funding is being provided by the City of Hot Springs. The groundbreaking ceremony is open to the public and the Neighborhood Association will serve light refreshments and snacks after the ceremony. - Posted 8/6/12 by MT
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The Hot Springs Concert Band--who were scheduled to perform a free concert in Whittington Federal Park on Monday, August 6th, 2012--have announced a change in venue. In statement, Charles Gilmore, Band President, explained that "the weather has not been our friend this summer in our effort to provide outdoor
concerts in the park. The excessive heat persists and because of concern for
our band and audience members, Dr. Hamilton and I have made the decision to
relocate our concert."