Save Lewis Park

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VOTE No Bond Q#8 -March 3

VOTE No Bond Q#8 -March 3

February 12, 2026 , Joy Ramsey 0

We are asking for your support to Save Lewis Park by voting NO to the $61.9 Million Aquatic Center Bond Issue #8, March 3, 2026.

The current aquatic recreation center plan is incomplete, with references to amenities that “may be included.” What is certain is the preferred location of Lewis Park will destroy 4 full sized soccer fields that serve multiple sports. Lewis Park is more than fields, it is a needed vital green space in a residential neighborhood that mitigates stormwater and slows runoff to Hamestring Creek.

The feasibility study estimated operating cost of $2 Million annually, with estimated shortfall of $700,000 +every year, after fees and donations. Many other civic services and salaries could be funded with this amount of our taxpayer money.

The Study: The $151,591 June 2024 – September 2025 aquatic feasibility study selected Lewis Park, at Mount Comfort Road and Lewis Ave., as the preferred site, without recognizing the loss of essential and heavily used multi sport fields being sacrificed at this location. The costs of replacing these fields is not analyzed or included. Building at Lewis will trigger another another major project to purchase and build another field complex. Recommendations from the feasibility study are: Improvements to Wilson Park pool, Multiple outdoor pools, Partnerships with other organizations to manage aquatic facilities.
https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/DocumentCenter/View/38649


Bond Vote: October 21, 2025, the City Council voted 6-2 to approve the ballot language and set the date for a bond referendum with nine issues. Residents will vote on each issue individually, per state law.


Contracts: November 4, 2025, the City Council Council members voted 5-3 to approve two separate items related to work on a proposed aquatics center at Lewis Park. The two contracts combine for a total of $272,523. One of the items was a $232,524 architectural contract with local firm Crafton Tull. The other was a $39,999 construction manager contract with local firm CDI Contractors.
https://fayettevilleflyer.com/2025/11/05/fayetteville-council-approves-contracts-for-preliminary-work-on-proposed-aquatics-center/


Preserve Lewis Park, Build Aquatic Center Elsewhere

Preserve Lewis Park, Build Aquatic Center Elsewhere

December 5, 2025 , , , , Joy Ramsey 1

The plans to build a proposed Aquatic Center at Lewis Park will decimate the existing fields, reducing quantity, size, and flexibility of this park. Addition of asphalt for parking and rooftops for the indoor pool and peripheral buildings, lazy river, slides and other features, will have detrimental impact on the areas ability to mitigate stormwater. Increased traffic will negatively impact the walkability and safety of the residential neighborhood. This proposed Aquatic Center will cost from $61- $107 Million dollars, which will be presented in the bond issue to be voted on in March of 2026.

Please support us in asking the City Council, Parks Department, and Mayor to find another location for this planned project rather than destroying this multipurpose, central, essential, neighborhood park. Logic would dictate maintaining Lewis Park over trying to replace what would be lost.

Mayor Seeks City Council Approval to Extend Lease of Lewis Park

Mayor Seeks City Council Approval to Extend Lease of Lewis Park

July 28, 2018 , Will 0

By now, I am sure you have seen the news that was posted yesterday. If you have not, you can check out the good news about Lewis Park here. Essentially, Mayor Jordan has worked out a one-year lease extension with the University of Arkansas for Lewis Park. In exchange, the University gets an extension of the Indian Hills property, which is behind Chik-Fil-A on MLK.

This is a welcome development. It means we have some more time to raise funds and build partnerships with other interested parties, like Fayetteville Public Schools. It also means we can get clarification by the State Legislature of Arkansas about public land expenditure rules. Finally, it means we will be able to use the park until next year and hopefully get it put on the 2019 Bond Issue. These are all good things for the people of Fayetteville.

Let’s keep up the good work. The finish line may be in sight, but we still have lots of work to do to #SaveLewis.

You can read more at the Fayetteville Flyer and the NW Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

Free Massage Giveaway

Free Massage Giveaway

May 11, 2018 Will 0

The City of Fayetteville and the Parks and Recreation Department are currently in the process of updating the strategic parks plan. At the May 7th public meeting at the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, the board said they would like more responses to the Strategic Park Planning Survey, so to help them out Karas Health Care has generously donated two (2) 60 minute massages from Be One Yoga, the connected yoga studio next door. To enter in a chance for a massage; 1. fill out the survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/imagineparks1  2. like the facebook post 3. comment on the post. The two winners, each winner will receive one massage, will be drawn randomly on May 31st.

 

RULES OF GIVEAWAY:

1. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.
2. To enter the Giveaway you must be 18 years old or over at the time of entry and possess a valid ID. You must ‘like’ the post, comment below, and fill out the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/imagineparks1
3. The Giveaway is open to residents of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Giveaways are not open to employees of Sponsors or (or members of their immediate families) or employee of Karas Health Care or Be One Yoga.
4. Facebook Post Comment: Only one entry per person.
5. This Giveaway is being sponsored by #SaveLewisPark and Friends of Lewis Park.
6. The Giveaway shall begin at: May 11st, 2018 and conclude at: Noon May 31st, 2018. Sponsor reserves the right to amend the terms of the giveaway, including but limited to the end date at any time.
7. Free Massage. Sponsor reserves the right to withdraw or replace a prize of equal or greater value at any time without prior notice. The prize may not be transferable to another person. No part of the prize is redeemable for cash or combined with any other prize or offer.
8. This giveaway is valued at $60.
9. The winners, each winner shall receive one prize, shall be selected on May 31st, 2018 from a random drawing.
10. If you win the Giveaway, we will notify you by post and e-mail.
11. Winner shall be responsible for any fees, expenses and/or taxes that may be associated with the prize.
12. By entering the Giveaway the winner agrees to participate in such promotional activity and material as Sponsor may require.
13. Winner may be required to execute an Affidavit of Eligibility and publicity release.
14. The winner of the Giveaway must pick up their prize from sponsor within thirty (30) days of being notified as the winner.
15. Winner agrees to release and hold harmless Sponsors, its parents, and affiliates from and against any claim or cause of action, arising out of entrant’s participation in the Giveaway.
16. Sponsors, it’s parents, employees and affiliates are not responsible for incorrect information, technical failures, unauthorized human intervention, human error, undeliverable mail, injury or damage caused from entrant’s participation in the giveaway.
17. All issues and questions concerning the Giveaway shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Arkansas.
18. Winners list will be published on the following official sites: https://www.facebook.com/SaveLewisPark