Jonesboro · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Jonesboro public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Gates and signage at Craighead Forest Park
Council has discussed gates at Craighead Forest for years — Council Member John Street has pushed it for nine years. Gates are on a new top-10 capital wish list, and new signage about no smoking and ranger contact is coming in weeks.
Deteriorating skate park concrete
Skate Jonesboro says the skatepark's newer concrete is failing after winter storms, leaving unsafe holes and rocks, and wants quick repairs this year — not next year's budget.
Craighead Forest Park playground replacement grant
The city's most-visited playground is 21 years old and wearing out. A $1 million state grant could fund a new inclusive playground and chemical-free splash pad, but requires a ~$500,000 match — raising questions about how that competes with East Jonesboro Park funding. The Rotary Club may lead a capital campaign to help.
Joe Mack Campbell Park expansion grant
The parks department will pursue a $1.61 million federal grant to buy about 38 acres, add walking and biking trails, ADA parking and eventually more recreation facilities — half the cost covered by a local match of land donations, private donations and city funds.
New Disciple Drive park playground contracts
The city is buying playground equipment and synthetic turf for a new park on Disciple Drive — about $1.4 million total across two contracts. One council member pushed back because the council never formally reviewed the park's design plans before the spending requests.
Parks sponsorships and marketing package
Council members flagged that the city is accepting sponsorships carried over from City Stars without actively recruiting new ones. Parks staff said a sponsorship pricing package is being prepared and a part-time marketing specialist is being hired.
Crowley's Ridge Nature Center lease change
After a grease fire, the Game and Fish Commission wants the lease changed so the building is a regional office instead of a public-use facility. The grounds stay open to the public; any rebuilding of the Nature Center is a separate future question.
Parks rental fee increases
Parks fees haven't been updated since 2017, and proposed hikes include raising Earl Bell Community Center rentals from about $700 to $1,000. One council member worried some jumps may be too steep for families and suggested smaller incremental increases.
City pool lane allocation between JETS and Shark Wave swim teams
Both swim teams are using the city pools under a tentative lane-division deal while the final contract — including wintertime rates and last year's billing questions — gets finished.
Return of E. Boone Watson Center and community centers to public use
Police have been temporarily occupying community centers, including the home of the African American Cultural Museum, since the Justice Complex closure. Buying the Shelter building would let the city return those spaces to full public use — something constituents have been pressing Councilmember Dr. Charles Coleman about weekly.
Higginbottom Trail design contract
The city is hiring a multistate firm with a Paragould office to design the Higginbottom Trail, kicking off a project expected to reach construction around this time next year. Officials noted they're deliberately diversifying the engineering firms the city hires.
Marion Berry Parkway Multiuse Trail
The trail is fully designed and funded, but the city is waiting on ARDOT authorization to advertise for bids. Construction is now estimated at $1.7 million — above the original $1.5 million budget — so a deductive alternate will be used to keep it under budget.
Turtle Creek Wetland Partnership outdoor classroom
A new partnership with the University of Arkansas would plan boardwalks, expanded wetlands, and aquatic research at the underused Turtle Creek detention pond, aimed at school groups and visitors. Nettleton's STEM school has already been contacted, and Keep Jonesboro Beautiful pushed for the project.
Proposed Sports Tourism Committee
After the Parks Advisory Board and Public Services Committee met jointly, the ordinance creating a sports tourism committee was tabled indefinitely in favor of a new approach emphasizing shared membership and communication between boards.
Parks transparency on tournament and revenue data
Dr. Anthony Coleman pressed for year-over-year tournament and revenue comparisons, noting past bookkeeping was 'shaky' and had drawn FBI recommendations. The parks director agreed to provide what he can.
Craighead Forest Park pond dredging
Council Member John Street pushed to keep alive a plan to dredge the youth and senior fishing pond behind Rotary — Game & Fish backed out of helping, but the mayor says talks continue. It's a popular kids' fishing spot.
Nonprofit leases on city property
United Way keeps its long-time space at 407 Union Avenue on a 10-year, $1-a-year lease. The North Jonesboro CDC lease for 911 Magnolia Road — shared with two other nonprofits — was tabled two weeks to sort out who schedules the shared space.
Craighead Forest Park ATV trail rehabilitation
The city is hiring Meadows Contractors for $144,358.70 to fix drainage on the ATV trails so emergency crews can reach the entire park if something goes wrong.
Coordination with Parks Advisory Board
Council members want the Public Services Committee chair to also serve on the Parks Advisory Board so parks projects get better coordination with the council committee. Gibson said he already met with Coach Davidson and sees ways to work jointly.