Fort Smith, AR
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The Fort Smith Parks and Recreation Department provides maintenance services to approximately 686 acres of Park land in the city of Fort Smith. There are 20 miles of paved multi-use trails throughout the Fort Smith parks.
The Parks & Recreation facilities offer rooms for rent all week with hours varying throughout the week. Visit our various facility pages in the menu above to learn more about rental possibilities.
We were chosen as the winner of the Southwest Times Record best of the best seasonal attraction for our Christmas lights and train in 2018 by their readers. That same year, Creekmore Park was also voted best of the best for Best Park by their readers.
The Parks & Recreation Department is proud to have 28 full-time employees to mow, weed eat, edge the curbs and sidewalks, pick up the trash in the parks, maintain rental facilities, host recreational events throughout the year, and provide burial services at Oak cemetery.
Inclusivity in Our Parks
The Parks Department believes that all individuals, no matter their ability, should be provided with active and passive recreation activities. In support of this belief, our parks system is beginning a transformation from meeting accessibility standards to becoming inclusive to all abilities. As part of this effort, citizens will see playground equipment designed to meet the needs of diverse children, sidewalk improvements to allow proper transitions, paved trails that are easily accessible, recreation events that offer activities for individuals of all capabilities, and more.
What is the difference between accessibility and inclusivity?
Put simply, accessibility allows users access to the amenity. Inclusivity allows access and usability.
Director of Parks & Recreation
Sara joined the Parks and Recreation Department full-time in January 2014, and has served as the Director since March 2024. Sara has worked diligently to advocate and emphasize the need for Fort Smith’s parks system to become more inclusive to individuals of all abilities. Sara is committed to maintaining and expanding the city’s park system, including implementing new recreational programming for citizens.
As a primary part of her position, Sara develops the department’s capital improvement plan (CIP) that is funded from a dedicated Sales and Use Tax for park capital projects. Through active community engagement, including public meetings and discussions with area organizations, Sara develops a CIP to best meet the needs of Fort Smith. She ensures projects align not only with community needs and citizen requests, but also are designed to ensure equal access and usability to individuals of all abilities.
Sara was born and raised in Fort Smith and is committed to serving the citizens of Fort Smith. Having a passion for serving others, Sara serves on the board for the Girls Shelter of Fort Smith. She is also the Vice President for Zonta Club of Fort Smith, whose mission is to empower women through service and advocacy. Sara is also a member of the Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association, Arkansas Government Finance Officers Association, and National Recreation and Parks Association. Sara also authored “Sunset Provisions in the Local Tax Code: Best Practices” during her time at the University of Kentucky.
Sara earned her Bachelor of Science in Middle-Level Education from the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. She went on to earn her Master of Public Administration from Arkansas State University in 2016. Sara received a Graduate Certificate in Public Budgeting and Financial Management in 2019 from Indiana University. As a firm believer in continuing education, Sara went on to complete a second masters. She earned her Master of Public Financial Management from the University of Kentucky in 2022. Sara was recognized as the university’s Outstanding MPFM Student for 2022. Sara is currently pursuing her Doctor of Public Administration at West Chester University.
Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation