Riverside Park, Benton, Arkansas
UPDATE MAY 19, 2020
Benton Parks and Recreation announced dates for reopening of facilities and amenities. Dates are subject to change. They are asking the public to continue to be respectful of others and practice social distancing. For information on reopening of the Downtown Benton Farmers Market, visit this link.
PREVIOUSLY MAY 1, 2020
Many Benton Parks facilities will remain closed for a while. Parks Director Stephanie Jones explains, “As previously announced, all parks facilities listed will remain closed through May 25, 2020.
The Governor announced that facilities may open at a sooner date, but fitness centers must follow a set of rules created by the Governor and the Arkansas Department of Health to ensure the safety of employees and guests.”
Below is an updated list of buildings and areas that are closed:
- Bernard Holland Complex Baseball/Adult Softball
- CW Lewis Stadium
- Ralph Bunche Park Basketball Courts
- River Center
- Riverside Youth Softball Complex
- Riverside Dog Park
- Riverside Soccer Complex
- Riverside Sand Volleyball Courts
- Tyndall Park Inclusive Playground
- Tyndall Park Tennis Courts
- Tyndall Park Basketball Courts
- All public restrooms will remain closed
The following areas are open for public use:
- Riverside Park Trail
- Tyndall Park Trail
- Sunset Lake Trail
- Hooked on Fishing
- Lyle Park
- Lake Norrell Boat Access
One rule requires facilities to have personal protective equipment (PPE) for guests and employees to wear. The City is in the procurement process for that PPE
“Our top priority will be public safety, followed by a safe return to full service to the people of Benton,” stated Jones. We are continuing to plan for our reopening and train our employees so we can all experience a safe environment when the time is right.”
UPDATE MARCH 30, 2020
Benton Parks & Recreation Director Stephanie Jones issued the following statement detailing areas that are closed due to COVID-19 and the areas that are still open:
Our Benton Parks and Recreation team analyzed state and national level actions regarding the potential risks of COVID-19 within parks facilities. We are working with Mayor Tom Farmer, our local Police and Fire Departments, and our local healthcare providers to do the best we can to keep our community safe. Unfortunately, this requires closing down some areas of our parks system that could pose an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Below is an updated list of closures as of Sunday, March 29th, until further notice:
- Bernard Holland Complex Baseball/Adult Softball
- CW Lewis Stadium
- Ralph Bunche Park Basketball Courts
- River Center
- Riverside Youth Softball Complex
- Riverside Dog Park
- Riverside Soccer Complex
- Riverside Sand Volleyball Courts
- Tyndall Park Inclusive Playground
- Tyndall Park Tennis Courts
- Tyndall Park Basketball Courts
- All public restrooms will remain closed
We encourage you to stay active by using walking trails and open green spaces. Please avoid touching surfaces and/or playground equipment.
The following areas are open for public use:
- Riverside Park Trail
- Tyndall Park Trail
- Sunset Lake Trail
- Hooked on Fishing
- Lyle Park
- Lake Norrell Boat Access
These decisions have not been easy to make. I am hopeful that if we follow the guidelines in place from the CDC we will not be shut down long. We appreciate your patience during this time and hope to see you soon.
PREVIOUSLY MARCH 12, 2020
Benton Mayor Tom Farmer issued the following statement regarding the recent decisions by the Arkansas Department of Education and Arkansas Department of Health in closing Saline County Schools:
With the recent presumptive positive in Saline County, we would be remiss to not follow the recommendations placed before our schools by leading health authorities to prevent the spread of the virus here in our community. At this time, the city is making a very difficult decision to cancel, or suspend, any organized group activities such as sports tournaments, competitions, and other related events located within our Benton Parks Systems.
The River Center will also remain closed, effective tomorrow through the tentative date of March 29th.
All other city services and buildings will remain open at this time. While our employees are here to serve the citizens of Bryant we are asking that you take into consideration their health, as well as the health of their families. If you are sick, have traveled into affected areas, or may have been exposed to COVID-19 or any respiratory illness, please stay home. There is very little city business that cannot be conducted via telephone or online and none that is worth risking the health of our city employees.
Internally, preemptive measures were put into place over the past several weeks within city departments in regards to the coronavirus, as well as strategies within each department to implement if needed to adequately prepare for this possibly occurring in Bryant. City staff is continuously monitoring communications with local, State, and Federal authorities to stay current on the latest information.
In addition to this statement the city encourages you to follow the standard protocols which will decrease the spread of any respiratory illness:
- Clean your hands often with soap or use hand sanitizer with a 60% alcohol base if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid sharing personal or household items
- Clean high touch areas daily
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- And again, if you are sick, stay home.
If you have traveled from a COVID-19 affected area, please call the office of your medical provider for instructions and guidance on any possible restrictions or what symptoms to watch for.
For additional recommendations, the CDC has an easy reference link that can assist https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html. We also encourage our residents to sign up for city notifications via NOTIFY ME through our website. This is the quickest way to receive direct communications from the city departments. restrictions or what symptoms to watch for.
For additional recommendations, the CDC has an easy reference link that can assist https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html] .