Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a major investment aimed at expanding outdoor recreation across Arkansas, with millions of dollars now set to support projects in communities throughout the state.
The Arkansas Department of Parks Heritage and Tourism is awarding a total of $4.92 million in Outdoor Recreation Grants, reaching projects across 23 counties. These grants are divided into three key categories, including Facilities for Underdeveloped Neighborhoods Park grants, matching grants, and the revived Great Strides program.
The Great Strides program, which had been inactive since 2017, was brought back in 2024 under the Sanders administration as part of the Natural State Initiative. Funding for this effort comes from Arkansas’ Tobacco Settlement Fund, tying long-term health goals to outdoor access and community development.
“This year’s multi-million-dollar investment in playgrounds, park facilities, and trails is helping make every part of Arkansas, especially our smaller communities, a great place to live and raise a family,” said Governor Sanders. “We’re creating more opportunities for kids to get off screens and outdoors, strengthening local communities, and building a healthier, more connected Arkansas.”
Grants spread across communities with focus on access and growth
The funding will support a wide range of improvements, from new playgrounds and trails to upgraded facilities and expanded access for people with disabilities. Matching grant recipients include cities like Batesville, which will install mountain bike trails across several locations, and Pea Ridge, which will build a multi purpose community trail system in phases.
Other cities such as Greenwood and Harrison are focusing on inclusive playgrounds and updated recreation areas, while Highfill plans to build an entirely new park complete with walking trails, restrooms, and play structures. Searcy will expand its trail network across several key locations tied to community spaces, while Sebastian County will improve access at the Massard Prairie Trailhead.
Secretary Shea Lewis emphasized the broader goal behind these investments. “Expanding access to outdoor recreation is a top priority for the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism,” Lewis said. “Through these grants, we’re helping communities create more opportunities for people to get outside, improve their health and well-being and connect with the natural beauty that defines Arkansas.
Additional support is being directed through the FUN Park grants, which are aimed at smaller or underdeveloped areas. Communities such as Black Rock, Blue Mountain, and Corning will see upgrades that include new ADA compliant playgrounds, basketball courts, and improved accessibility. Other towns like Hardy and Etowah will repair or replace aging infrastructure, including playground equipment and walking trails damaged by time or weather.
Katherine Andrews, Director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation, highlighted the long-term value of these efforts. “Our team works year-round to expand access to outdoor recreation across Arkansas through these grant programs,” she said. “These investments enhance quality of life, attract visitors and new residents, and support the continued growth of Arkansas’ outdoor economy.”
The 2026 FUN Park grant recipients are:
- Black Rock (Lawrence County) to install a new ADA basketball court and ADA playground in a new park. – $98,625.00
- Blue Mountain (Logan County) to upgrade the playground and provide ADA access at Blue Mountain Park. – $99,960.00
- Corning (Clay County) to install a new toddler and ADA play area at Wynn Park. – $100,000.00
- Etowah (Mississippi County) to repave and extend a walking trail, replace outdated play equipment, provide ADA parking and access, and replace picnic tables and ballfield fence at Etowah Park. – $100,000.00
- Hackett (Sebastian County) to install a new inclusive playground at Hackett City Park. – $100,000.00
- Hardy (Sharp County) to replace flood damaged playground, benches, basketball goal, reconstruct the parking lot and ADA accessibility, and replace metal ceiling of existing pavilion at Loberg Park. – $100,000.00
- Holland (Faulkner County) to replace unsafe and deteriorated play area and improve ADA connectivity at Holland City Park. – $100,000.00
- Menifee (Conway County) to install new playground equipment with ADA accessibility, rubber mulch, and ADA parking/signage at Menifee City Park. – $99,989.51
- Mountain Pine (Garland County) to create the town’s first park by installing an active, inclusive, and ADA compliant recreational space and install sidewalks for connectivity. – $99,986.70
- Norphlet (Union County) to install a new pavilion, accessibility, playground equipment, and replace fall zone material. – $99,430.00
- Wickes (Polk County) to add ADA parking and connectivity, new shade structure, and re-arrange the play equipment and install new ones, replace fall zone material. – $100,000.00
- Willisville (Nevada County) to install a new playground, ADA parking and connectivity, and lighting. – $99,979.00
- Little River County to address drainage issues, resurface existing basketball court, install ADA picnic tables, ADA sidewalks and parking, a new playground, and shade trees. – $100,000.00
- Madison County to install playground structure, ADA compliant picnic table, bench, and sidewalk. – $99,604.39
- Union County to replace outdated playground equipment, ADA sidewalks, and benches. – $99,997.30
Great Strides program supports trail expansion
The revived Great Strides grants are focused on walking trails and public spaces that encourage movement and community use. Cherry Valley will build a new asphalt walking trail with ADA parking and benches, while Holly Grove and Trumann will construct new trails and improve parking areas to support accessibility.
The 2026 Great Strides grant recipients are:
- Cherry Valley (Cross County) to construct a 1,650 linear feet asphalt walking trail, an ADA parking area, and install four ADA accessible benches along the walking trail. – $219,240.00
- Holly Grove (Monroe County) to construct a 1,330 linear feet rail in their city park along with added striped ADA parking with aisle and wheel stops to their parking area. – $143,813.00
- Trumann (Poinsett County) to develop 930 linear feet long, 10 feet wide ADA multipurpose trail and 520 square feet of ADA parking space at Betty Street Park. – $100,000.00
Health leaders also pointed to the importance of outdoor activity in improving well-being across the state. Secretary Renee Mallory noted the connection between recreation and public health. “Arkansas’s natural beauty is one of its greatest public health assets, providing low-cost, community-driven opportunities for physical activity and social connection,” she said. “Encouraging people to get outside and move remains a simple, proven strategy for improving health, and these grants will help more individuals and families across the state access and enjoy the outdoor spaces that make Arkansas unique.”
Since its creation in 1988, the Outdoor Recreation Grants Program has invested more than $80 million into projects statewide. These continued investments reflect a steady effort to improve parks, trails, and shared outdoor spaces, ensuring that communities across Arkansas have places where people can gather, stay active, and enjoy the natural environment.
