Harrison, AR (October 28, 2024) – The Welcome Home Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) held its annual Fall Festival, while also celebrating the opening of the community’s newly constructed walking trail. Searcy County Judge Tony Horton, State Representative Steven Walker, and State Senator Missy Irvin were in attendance along with many community members.
The quarter-mile walking trail was made possible through a $100,000 FUN Park Grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. The Welcome Home VFD partnered with Searcy County to apply for the funding. The grant also provided handicap parking & accessibility to the trail, benches, and a concrete pad for a pavilion to be completed in the future. NWAEDD staff prepared the application and administered the grant. Engineering Services, Inc. (ESI) served as the project engineer and Steep Creek, LLC. was awarded the construction contract through a sealed bid process.
Elected officials were given the opportunity to speak to attendees. Senator Irvin said “This project shows the importance of programs that support rural Arkansas. I love rural Arkansas, I grew up in rural Arkansas, and I will always support initiatives that help our rural communities.” Representative Walker went on to say, “This a terrific example of a community, county government, and state government working together to accomplish something much needed.” Searcy County Judge Horton thanked the community members for their commitment, and commended ESI and Steep Creek on a job well done. He added “All involved did a great job. It really did take everyone working together to make this happen and the County was proud to do its part”.
FUN Park grants are for municipalities and unincorporated communities with less than 7,500 in population to develop outdoor recreation facilities. The maximum award is $100,000 and there is an annual application cycle each summer.