FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
September 21, 2017
 
Contact: Connie Edmonston
Department Director
Parks and Recreation Department
479-444-3471
cedmonston@fayetteville-ar.gov
 

 
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —Year 2017 marks a major milestone for our Parks and Recreation Department. Fifty years ago, in 1967, the department was established. The City of Fayetteville invites all to celebrate Fifty Years of Play! at Wilson and Walker Parks on Saturday, October 14. Giveaways include commemorative water bottles and stickers; Wilson Park horticulture staff will be handing out plants. The celebration is a low-waste event, so bring your reusables. Water will be available for refills. Please note that parking is limited at both parks; attendees are encouraged to bike or walk to events.
 
KICK OFF
9 a.m. | Community Bike Ride from Walker Park to Wilson
Ride starts at the parking lot on the corner of Block Avenue and 13th Street,    travels along the Razorback Regional Greenway and ends at Wilson Park.
 
WILSON PARK
9:45 a.m. | Bayari Musical Playground Demonstration: Local musician, Jake Schaffer, will entertain the crowd by playing instruments new musical playground. The playground that was made possible by a generous donation from Fadil Bayyari in memory of his son, David Lyle Bayyari.
 
10 a.m. | Playground Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Mayor Lioneld Jordan
                    
10:30 a.m. | Puppet Parade: Puppets in the Park, presented by the Art Experience, will parade around the new playground and all through Wilson Park.
 
11 a.m. | Ranger’s Pantry Pet Contest
 
11:30 a.m. until gone | Hot Dog Lunch: Free hot dogs, courtesy of Arvest Bank, will be served adjacent to the playground.
 
11:30 a.m.  - 2 p.m. |  On-Going Activities: Yoga with Michele Pulfer (11:30 a.m.), Leave No Trace Demonstrations, Master Gardener’s Plant Scavenger Hunt, Greedy Goats Petting Area
 
WALKER PARK
3 p.m. until dark | Food Truck Rally: Several of Northwest Arkansas’s favorite food trucks will be selling food and drink on 13th Street between Block and College Avenues.
 
5 - 7 p.m. | Concert: Crescent City Combo: A Fayetteville favorite! This funk and groove band adds a touch of New Orleans-style jazz to pack a mighty sound. Don’t miss the all-star combo playing on the south side of 13th Street near College Avenue.
 
We’re still putting the finishing touches on this fiftieth anniversary party. Check for updates at: www.fayetteville-ar.gov/parks
 
If you would like to get involved in other ways, volunteers are always needed! The third annual Lake Sequoyah Cleanup is on Saturday, October 14 from 9a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Volunteers are needed to help clean the lake shore and trails. The event wraps up with pizza and door prizes for participants! For more information, contact Kristina Jones by email at parksvolunteer@fayetteville-ar.gov.