Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout267-25 RESOLUTIONPage 1 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 Resolution: 267-25 File Number: 2025-1988 A RESOLUTION TO NAME 1.28 ACRES OF PARKLAND LOCATED AT 700 SOUTH LIEUTENANT COLONEL LEROY POND AVENUE AS “SOUTH YARD PARK” WHEREAS, in 2019, Specialized Real Estate Group approached Parks staff with plans to construct a multi-family development and commercial space southwest of the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and S. School Avenue; and WHEREAS, to meet the parkland dedication ordinance requirements, Specialized dedicated 1.24 acres of land and paid $61,144.00 in fees in-lieu based on 128 residential units; and WHEREAS, on April 1, 2025, the City Council approved Resolution 88-25 authorizing a cost-share agreement with Specialized Real Estate Group detailing the park improvements and recognizing that Specialized will provide 10 years of park maintenance before the City assumes responsibility; and WHEREAS, three naming options for the park were considered at the Parks, Natural Resources, and Cultural Affairs Advisory Board meeting on September 3, 2025, and South Yard Park was recommended by a vote of 5-4. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby names the 1.28 acres of parkland located at 700 S. Lt. Col. Leroy Pond Avenue as “South Yard Park.” PASSED and APPROVED on November 18, 2025 Approved: _______________________________ Molly Rawn, Mayor Attest: _______________________________ Kara Paxton, City Clerk Treasurer Mailing address: 113 W. Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 www.fayetteville-ar.gov CITY COUNCIL MEMO 2025-1988 MEETING OF NOVEMBER 18, 2025 TO: Mayor Rawn and City Council THRU: Ted Jack, Park Planning Superintendent Alison Jumper, Director of Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Keith Macedo, Chief of Staff FROM: Zach Foster, Park Planner II SUBJECT: City Council to name a new city park. RECOMMENDATION: City Council to name a new city park located at 700 West Colonel Leroy Pond Avenue as South Yard Park per the Naming Park Facilities Policy. BACKGROUND: In 2019, Specialized Real Estate Group (Specialized) approached Parks staff with plans to construct a multi- family development and commercial space on the SW intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and S. School Ave. The development is located near valuable outdoor recreation resources, including Tanglewood Branch Creek and the intersection of two major paved trails, the Razorback Greenway and the Tsa-La-Gi Trail. To meet Parkland Dedication Ordinance requirements, the Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Advisory Board (PNRCAAB) approved Specialized’s recommendation to dedicate1.24 acres of land and pay $150,416 in fees in-lieu. This was based on 220 units, which was later reduced to 128 units. Parks received 1.28 acres and $61,144.14 in fees for the Southwest Quadrant. PNRCAAB later approved a proposed cost-share agreement between Specialized and the City where the Parks Department would commit up to $64,000.00 toward park construction and Specialized would provide the other funding to build the park estimated to cost about $350,000. In April 2025, Resolution 88-25 finalized a cost-share agreement detailing the park improvements and also recognizing that Specialized will also provide 10 years of park maintenance before the City assumes responsibility. Park construction is 75% complete. At its September 3, 2025 meeting, PNRCAAB considered three naming options for the 1.28 acre park: Branchline Park and Junction Park (proposed by Parks staff) and South Yard Park (proposed by Specialized). During the presentation, Parks Staff shared details of its internal discussion and voting process, which resulted in a recommendation for Branchline Park. Ultimately, PNRCAAB cast a split vote of 5-4-0 in favor of South Yard Park, with four votes for Branchline Park. DISCUSSION: Per Unified Development Code § 97.088 (B)(2)(d), the policy to name parks and park facilities requires a Mailing address: 113 W. Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 www.fayetteville-ar.gov recommendation from the PNRCAAB and approval by the City Council. BUDGET/STAFF IMPACT: None. ATTACHMENTS: 3. Staff Review Form, 4. Cost Share Agreement, Signed 4.1.2025, 5. Code of Ordinances - Park Naming Policy, 6. PNRCAAB 9.3.2025 - Park Naming Near South Yard Development, 7. Park Rendering 1 - Site Plan, 8. Park Rendering 2 - Lighting Plan Page 1 City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Legislation Text 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 File #: 2025-1988 A RESOLUTION TO NAME 1.28 ACRES OF PARKLAND LOCATED AT 700 SOUTH LIEUTENANT COLONEL LEROY POND AVENUE AS “SOUTH YARD PARK” WHEREAS, in 2019, Specialized Real Estate Group approached Parks staff with plans to construct a multi-family development and commercial space southwest of the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and S. School Avenue; and WHEREAS, to meet the parkland dedication ordinance requirements, Specialized dedicated 1.24 acres of land and paid $61,144.00 in fees in-lieu based on 128 residential units; and WHEREAS, on April 1, 2025, the City Council approved Resolution 88-25 authorizing a cost-share agreement with Specialized Real Estate Group detailing the park improvements and recognizing that Specialized will provide 10 years of park maintenance before the City assumes responsibility; and WHEREAS, three naming options for the park were considered at the Parks, Natural Resources, and Cultural Affairs Advisory Board meeting on September 3, 2025, and South Yard Park was recommended by a vote of 5-4. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby names the 1.28 acres of parkland located at 700 S. Lt. Col. Leroy Pond Avenue as “South Yard Park.” City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form 2025-1988 Item ID 10/21/2025 City Council Meeting Date - Agenda Item Only N/A for Non-Agenda Item Zach Foster 9/29/2025 PARKS & RECREATION (520) Submitted By Submitted Date Division / Department Action Recommendation: City Council to name a new city park located at 700 West Colonel Leroy Pond Avenue as "South Yard Park" per the Naming Park Facilities Policy. Budget Impact: Account Number Fund Project Number Project Title Budgeted Item?Total Amended Budget $- Expenses (Actual+Encum)$- Available Budget $- Does item have a direct cost?Item Cost $- Is a Budget Adjustment attached?Budget Adjustment $- Remaining Budget $- V20221130 Purchase Order Number:Previous Ordinance or Resolution #88/25 Change Order Number:Approval Date: Original Contract Number: Comments: (A) (B) (1) (2) (a) (b) (c) (i) (ii) (iii) 97.088 - Signs Prohibited No person in a park shall paste, glue, tack, or otherwise post any sign, placard, advertisement, or inscription whatsoever, nor shall any person erect or cause to be erected any sign whatsoever on any public lands or highways or roads adjacent to a park, except as set forth herein below. Exceptions. Athletic Field Signage. Signs shall be permitted on the perimeter fences, outfield fences and scoreboards at locations and in sizes designated by the Director. Uniform fees shall be charged dependent upon placement and size of the permitted signs. The content of the sign and whether it is commercial or non-commercial may not be considered. Designated spaces shall be sold at the established price on a first-come basis. The owner of a sign at a designated location shall have first right to renew before others can purchase the size/location for a new or replacement sign. Recognition Signs. Signs located in city parks or on city trails that are used for the purpose of memorializing a person or family through naming, recognition of significant donors, or recognition of contributions to the facility or amenity on which the sign is installed shall meet the following conditions: Maximum Number of Recognition Signs. Most donor or honoree recognition signs shall be limited to one (1) for the facility financed by the donor or memorializing the honoree. For a park or a major facility with more than one (1) major entrance, a second recognition sign may be recommended by the Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Advisory Board and approved by the City Council. Minimum Donation for Recognition Sign. Donor recognition signs may be approved under the following criteria. There must be a minimum donation of $25,000.00 to be considered for donor recognition. If the cost of capital improvement exceeds $50,000.00, the minimum donation would be 50% of the capital cost, unless otherwise determined by City Council resolution. Design Requirements. All recognition signs must comply with the following requirements and shall adhere to the aesthetic values and design of the park or trail: The recognition sign shall include only the name of the person memorialized or the name of the organization, person or business which has donated significant funds to the park facility. A company or organization logo (without company colors, any advertising or slogans) may be used on the sign. The design of the sign shall be incorporated into the park facility and shall be approved by the Director who shall ensure the signs' high quality and durable construction and its consistency with other recognition signs within the park. 9/29/25, 4:01 PM Fayetteville, AR Code of Ordinances about:blank 1/5 (iv) (d) (e) Recognition signs shall comply with the Donor Operational Policy unless exempted by the City Council. Trail Recognition Signs shall not exceed four square feet for trailhead facilities. Recognition signs along the trail for park benches, etc., shall not exceed 1.5 square feet and should be incorporated within or attached to the bench or amenity sponsored by the donor. Facility Naming. The naming of facilities is permitted so long as the donor or honoree has made a significant contribution to the city, in terms of financial donations, volunteerism or dedicated public service. Final naming of facility may be as recommended by the Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Advisory Board with final selection and approval by the City Council. Naming of the facilities should meet the Naming Park Facilities Policy attached as Exhibit "B", unless otherwise determined by City Council resolution. Adopt-a-park or trail groups may post a sign while they are actively working on a park project that provides information about their organization or group. The sign must be approved in advance by the city. DONOR RECOGNITION POLICY PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to govern the recognition of donors and donations for park facilities currently owned or acquired by the City of Fayetteville. This policy takes precedence over any previous policies and guidelines which may have governed the naming of these facilities. POLICY To support the development of key capital facilities in Fayetteville Parks, seeking outside funding is essential, especially in times of limited public resources. Clear boundaries and criteria are necessary to ensure fair and appropriate recognition of significant facility donations. This policy establishes guidelines for recognizing donations within parks and along trails. All donor recognition signs and plaques must be integrated into the facility's design and align with the park's aesthetic values. Donor recognition in parks is based on the type of facility donated. On trails, recognition is limited to trailheads unless incorporated into an educational or artistic feature. In such cases, recognition signs must remain a secondary element within the educational or artistic display. Recognition for each donation will be determined pursuant to the Donor Recognition Policy. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by City Council. A Naming of facilities donated must meet the Naming Park Facilities Operational Policy unless accepted under City Council resolution. The naming proposal will be presented to the Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs 9/29/25, 4:01 PM Fayetteville, AR Code of Ordinances about:blank 2/5 1. 2. 3. 4. Advisory Board for their recommendation to City Council. City Council has final approval of the park facility name, including the right to approve a different name. Minor items such as trash receptacles and flower beds cannot be named. Donor recognition requires a minimum donation $25,000 or 50% of the cost of an amenity valued over $50,000. Recognition signage may be displayed for the useful life of the amenity. When the Director determines the amenity has outlived its useful like and needs replacement; donor recognition will be removed. Amenities funded through multiple donations may be recognized via a donor wall displaying names of all donors. The donor wall shall be designed in accordance with the general park aesthetic. Individual donor names shall be no larger than 4" tall. Donations for 100% of the cost of an amenity valued under $150,000 may be recognized in the form of a small plaque no larger than 8" x 16". Recognition signage excluding naming a park or facility, for donations up to $500,000 may be approved by the Director. Donations over $500,000 are eligible for naming park facilities and shall be approved by the Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Advisory Board and City Council per the Naming Park Facilities Policy. Recognition signage shall be designed in accordance with the general park aesthetic, shall not contain corporate colors or fonts. Signage may include a corporate name, slogan, mark, or tagline. Donations will be considered and prioritized for amenities within an approved master plan or projects currently being designed or constructed. Process Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs staff or the Friends of Fayetteville Parks meets with donor to discuss donation including amount of donation, development of facility/amenity, recognition operational policy, naming rights (if applicable), sign appearance/style/construction, time requirements and other pertinent topics. Donor must meet the Operational Policy for Donor Recognition Signs. Donations over $500,000 are presented to the Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Advisory Board. If the facility donated is granted the option to name the facility, the name must meet Park Naming Facility Operational Policy. Request is presented to City Council for final park name selection and approval. 9/29/25, 4:01 PM Fayetteville, AR Code of Ordinances about:blank 3/5 5. Upon the Director's determination to remove a donated facility due to it coming to the end of its useful like, the initial donor will have first right to renew their naming rights via additional donation. The City will reserve the right to remove a donor's name from the facility if the City Council determines by resolution that a donor would otherwise cause undue embarrassment or other issues for the City or its citizens. Exhibit "B" NAMING PARK FACILITIES PURPOSE The purpose of this directive is to provide policies which will govern the naming of park facilities currently owned or acquired by the City of Fayetteville. This policy statement takes precedence over any previous policies and guidelines which may have governed the naming of these facilities. POLICY Upon acquisition of a new park, the Director of Parks and Recreation will assign a nondescript temporary working name or subdivision name for the park facility to be used until park development begins. Once park development begins, the Parks and Recreation Department will receive and forward park facility name suggestions to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for review. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will discuss and approve the recommendations at their monthly meeting. Once a recommended name has been selected, the Parks and Recreation staff will forward the name to the City Council for its final park name selection including a potentially different name. The following items should be considered when proposing names for any park facilities: • Geographic location of the facility • Outstanding features of the facility • Commonly recognized historical event, group, or individual • Individual or group who contributed significantly to the acquisition or development of a facility 9/29/25, 4:01 PM Fayetteville, AR Code of Ordinances about:blank 4/5 • Individual who provided an exceptional service in the interest of the park system For an individual to be considered, the recommended name must be accompanied by a biographical sketch which provides evidence of historical significance or contributions to the Parks and Recreation Department or City of Fayetteville. The naming of plaques, markers, and memorials within park facilities must follow the policies as stated above. Note: A name recommendation from the Active Transportation Committee for trail facilities will be required prior to forwarding to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. (Code 1965, §17A-31; Ord. No. 3677, §2, 3-2-93; Code 1991, §97.088; Ord. No. 5335, 7-20-10; Ord. No. 5778, 6-16-15; >Ord. No. 5828, §1(Exh. A), 12-15-15; Ord. No. 6701, §1(Exh. A), 11-7-23; Ord. No. 6880, §1(Exh. A), 6- 3-25) 9/29/25, 4:01 PM Fayetteville, AR Code of Ordinances about:blank 5/5 Park Naming Property near South Yard Development Parcel# 765-05509-003 PNRCAAB September 3, 2025 1 1926 1941 1965 1998 2010 2025 1908 Plat Map Aerial Maps through the years: Property History 2 Property History https://condrenrails.com/Frisco/O&CC%20Ry/O&CC-Timetables.html https://condrenrails.com/Frisco/O&CC%20Ry/O&CC-History.html Source: This site was primarily used for railroad traffic. The trestle that spans Tanglewood Branch Creek carried two main railway companies: - Ozark & Cherokee Central Railway - Kansas City & Memphis Railway These railways focused on fruit and freight transport but occasionally had passenger cars. Source: Charles, Alison (2017).A Brief History of Fayetteville Arkansas. The History Press. p.80 3 Park History •2019 Parks Board approves South Yard Development request to meet PLD requirements through a combination of land dedication and fees-in-lieu •2020 Dedication of 1.3 acres to City of Fayetteville •Does not include railroad trestle •2020-25 Development construction and park planning •2025 City Council approved cost share agreement Resolution 88-25 4 Park Design 5 6 7 Unified Development Code § 97.088 (B)(2)(d) Facility Naming.The naming of facilities is permitted so long as the donor or honoree has made a significant contribution to the city, in terms of financial donations, volunteerism or dedicated public service. Final naming of facility may be as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board with final selection and approval by the City Council. Naming of the facilities should meet the Naming Park Facilities Policy attached as Exhibit "B", unless otherwise determined by City Council resolution. Park Naming Policy Proposed Park Names •Branchline Park References the two railway branch lines that passed through this park (the O&CC and the KC&M) and the Tanglewood Branch Creek on site. A “branchline” or “branch line” is a railway term for a secondary rail line. The primary railroad in Fayetteville was the Frisco Railway. •Junction Park References the literal “junction” of the Razorback Greenway and the Tsa -La-Gi Trail with a nod to the site’s railroad history. •South Yard Park References the nearby South Yard commercial and residential development who utilized the Parkland Dedication Ordinance to dedicate park land and build park infrastructure. Parks Board Discussion: 8 Specialized Real Estate Proposal: 9 We request the new public park adjacent to South Yard be officially named South Yard Park, uniting park, trail, and district signage while honoring the site’s agricultural, rail, and industrial heritage. The name reinforces the adaptive-reuse story and supports ongoing investment in a walkable, mixed- use south Fayetteville corridor. Specialize Real Estate Proposal, cont.: 10 Site History & Context ●Former home to the Farmers Cooperative, a hub for the region’s poultry and agriculture industries. ●Architecture by Belle Dinwiddie (one of Arkansas’ first female architects), Warren Segraves, and Paul Young. ●Located along a former rail line serving timber, produce, and poultry industries. ●Specialized Real Estate Group acquired in 2019; $63M adaptive-reuse project retains four mid-century buildings. ●Development includes 128 apartments, restaurants, and a Moxy Hotel. ●The 1.24-acre park, deeded to the City in 2020, features boardwalks, platforms, benches, shaded seating, and bike racks. Why “South Yard Park” ●Identity & Wayfinding – Connects directly to the recognized South Yard district, improving navigation and signage. ●Brand Cohesion – Extends an established name across residential, hospitality, retail, and park spaces. ●Historical Resonance – References the site’s industrial and rail history and location in south Fayetteville. ●Supports Corridor Goals – Enhances wayfinding, tourism, and programming for the MLK Jr. Blvd. corridor. Clarity for a Civic Asset – Straightforward, district-based name aligns with municipal naming practices.