Jonesboro residents gathered this week to celebrate the opening of an inclusive playground at University Heights Lions Club Park, a project aimed at giving children of all abilities a safe place to play together.
According to Jonesboro Right Now, the ribbon‑cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday, November 11, while Hoodline reported the event took place on Tuesday morning. The park, located at 502 N. Bridge St., now features a paved wheelchair route, wheelchair‑accessible artificial turf, and a rope‑climbing structure that helps children who cannot walk reach the slides and other equipment.
Parks and Recreation Director Jim Stearns told Jonesboro Right Now that the goal is for “everybody to have access regardless of their ability or disability,” emphasizing that the upgrades also improve safety and overall activity. Mayor Harold Copenhaver has echoed this sentiment, saying the renovation allows families to enjoy a park in their own neighborhood rather than traveling elsewhere for accessible play.
The renovation replaces a previously deteriorated playground that, according to Stearns, had fallen into disrepair before the city announced upgrades in October 2025 as part of a series of inclusive‑play projects.
University Heights is the first of several inclusive‑play sites in Jonesboro’s broader park‑improvement strategy. Hoodline noted that the next phase, the Disciple Drive park in the Hilltop area, is slated for completion by the end of summer 2027, though a specific construction schedule has not been updated.
In addition to the playground opening, Hyper Local Loop reported that the Salvation Army’s Annual Red Kettle Campaign kicked off on Friday, November 14. The campaign, a beloved holiday tradition, invites residents to donate at kettle locations throughout the city during the upcoming weeks.
The city’s inclusive‑play push also builds on earlier funding: in December 2024, the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism awarded Jonesboro $189,515 for a universally accessible playground at Allen Park, which the city matched dollar for dollar, according to the NEA Report.
What’s next: City officials will continue work on the Disciple Drive park, aiming for a 2027 finish, while community members are encouraged to support the Red Kettle drive and enjoy the new inclusive facilities at University Heights Lions Club Park.
Sources: hyperlocalloop.com, hoodline.com
