Foreman officials have been very busy lately with several new projects. One of the most exciting is the recent announcement that the city has obtained funds to develop approximately 40 acres on North Malden Street for a city park. The new park project is the result of the efforts of several area individuals. Special recognition is due State Senator Barbara Horn and former State Representative Ken Cowling who both worked diligently to help secure more than $400,000 for the project. Total funds include a $220,000 grant from Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, a $48,300 grant from the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Program and a $150,000 grant from the State General Improvement fund.
The monies will be used to develop the land, which the city already owns, for use as the city’s outdoor recreation area. Along with beautiful landscaping and lots of trees, the new park will feature playground equipment, a picnic area and a baseball/softball field. The addition of a second ball field for city use is particularly exciting as it is one of the requirements for hosting the annual state softball tournament. Foreman’s own Lady Gators have won the state tournament five years in a row, and city residents are eager to now be able to bid to host the competition that they have dominated for so long.
Special mention also goes to Teton Industrial for generously providing the services of its own staff project manager to help guide park construction. The company is one of several subcontractors that worked on the recent Ashgrove Cement plant expansion, and the donation is part of its community involvement initiative which seeks to give back to the communities in which they have been priviledged to work. The people of Foreman would like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Teton for helping with the cause!
Bids were opened Monday, August 3, for initial dirt work on the project. For more information or to learn how your company can bid on other phases of this or any other city project, please call City Hall at (870) 542-7434 or click here to contact us by email.