Over the last four years, a 1/8 cent sales tax has provided ongoing major capital improvements at Lake Leatherwood City Park. The tax collected represents 12.5 cents on every $100 spent. Nearly half a million dollars have been collected for Leatherwood City Park capital improvements, which also leveraged project matching funds from the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and the Arkansas State Parks Commission for nearly $175,000.
This funding allowed the road to be paved (with a matching grant from the AG&F), campgrounds upgraded, Wi-fi installed, acquisition of canoes and kayaks, marina improvements, and progress toward the conversion of existing facilities to upgraded ADA standards.
The funding allowed the Parks and Recreation Commission (with matching fund from the Arkansas State Parks Commission) to build a new state-of-the-art playground at Leatherwood Park and purchase dozens of new picnic tables. Cabins have been stabilized, new windows installed, and split-level HVAC units that allow for winter rental of cabins starting next year. Improved parking and buried utility lines add to safety and environmental stabilization.
The iconic WPA-built Leatherwood Dam is in need of major repairs, sewer infrastructure needs to be modernized, and the lake and creek need to be dredged to make Lake Leatherwood a perfect place to swim. Control of invasive species and improving flood management are also part of the Master Plan.
The Leatherwood Improvement tax is up for renewal on Tuesday, June 13. The Parks and Recreation Commission receives no funding from the City budget.
Registered Eureka Springs voters can early vote at the downtown courthouse Tuesday, June 6 through Monday, June 12, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., or on Tuesday, June 13, at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church on Passion Play Rd. from 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.