Arkansas Communities Receive Millions in Park Grants

Batesville and Hardy among recipients for new trails, playgrounds, and facility upgrades

Apr. 1, 2026 at 5:34am

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The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism is awarding $4.92 million in outdoor recreation grants to 23 counties across the state. The funding will be used for projects such as new mountain bike trails in Batesville and playground equipment and accessibility upgrades at Loberg Park in Hardy.

Why it matters

These grants aim to expand access to the outdoors, improve community health and well-being, and showcase Arkansas's natural beauty. Investing in local parks and recreation spaces is seen as a key strategy to get residents, especially youth, off screens and engaged with their communities.

The details

In Batesville, a $425,000 matching grant will fund the installation of new mountain bike trails spanning four locations: Riverside Park, Fitzhugh Park, the East Main Soccer Complex, and a designated green space for nature trails. In Hardy, a $100,000 Facilities for Underdeveloped Neighborhoods (FUN) Park grant will focus on recovery and accessibility at Loberg Park, replacing flood-damaged playground equipment and basketball goals, reconstructing the parking lot for ADA accessibility, and repairing the pavilion.

  • The grants were announced on March 31, 2026 by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
  • The funding will be used for projects in the 2026 grant cycle.

The players

Sarah Huckabee Sanders

The Governor of Arkansas who announced the park grant funding.

Shea Lewis

The Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, which is overseeing the grant program.

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What they’re saying

“We're creating more opportunities for kids to get off screens and outdoors, strengthening local communities, and building a healthier, more connected Arkansas.”

— Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Governor of Arkansas

“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.”

— Shea Lewis, Secretary, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism

What’s next

The grant recipients will begin planning and implementing the new park projects over the next year, with the goal of having the upgrades and expansions completed by the end of 2027.

The takeaway

These park grants demonstrate Arkansas's commitment to investing in outdoor recreation and community spaces, especially in smaller towns and cities. By improving access to nature, trails, and play areas, the state aims to promote healthier lifestyles and stronger connections between residents.