Fort Smith residents will see three community‑focused milestones this month: Greenwood Parks & Recreation is set to open a new inclusive playground, Dr. Jo Alice Blondin has been appointed an honorary commander of the 188th Medical Group at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, and the city is holding open‑house meetings for its new master street plan.
According to Talk Business & Politics, the Greenwood playground will open at 11 a.m. on Dec. 19 at 400 Westwood Ave. The facility features accessible equipment and a layout designed for children of different ages and abilities to play together. Funding comes from a $494,905 grant from the Arkansas Department of Outdoor Recreation and a $100,000 donation from Greenwood‑based Farmers Bank. “This project has always been about more than playground equipment,” said Greenwood Parks Director Casey Craig. “It’s about creating a place where kids can play together and families know they are welcome.”
In the same briefing, Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of the Fort Smith‑based Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE), was selected as an honorary commander of the 188th Medical Group. The honorary commander program pairs civic leaders with unit commanders to raise public awareness of the Air National Guard’s missions, ACHE explained. Blondin’s selection reflects a partnership that began during her tenure as chancellor of Arkansas Tech University–Ozark Campus and continues through her work with ACHE. “Both ACHE and the 188th Medical Group are committed to caring for the people of Arkansas and beyond,” Blondin said in a statement.
The city of Fort Smith is also advancing a new master street plan that will examine how people and goods move through the city and identify safety, connectivity and access improvements. Open‑house meetings are scheduled for Nov. 18, 5–7 p.m. at the River Park Events Building (121 Riverfront Drive) and the Fort Smith Senior Activity Center (2700 Cavanaugh Road), and for Nov. 19, Noon–1:30 p.m. at the Main Library (3201 Rogers Ave.) and 5–7 p.m. at The Blue Lion (101 N. Second St.) and the Peak Innovation Center (5900 Painter Lane). Residents can also take an online community survey, according to the city’s public statement.
Separately, Baptist Health’s Wound & Hyperbaric Center in Fort Smith has upgraded its hyperbaric oxygen therapy program with new Sigma 36 Monoplace chambers. The acrylic chambers improve patient comfort, visibility for caregivers and safety, the hospital system noted. “These new chambers represent another investment in providing advanced care close to home,” said Brandi Stewart, president and chief nursing officer at Baptist Health‑Fort Smith.
What’s next: Families can attend the Greenwood park opening on Dec. 19, while Fort Smith residents are encouraged to join the street‑plan open houses on Nov. 18‑19 and submit feedback via the city’s survey. The new hyperbaric chambers are already in use, offering advanced wound‑care options for local patients.
Sources: hyperlocalloop.com, talkbusiness.net
