Fort Smith, Arkansas is home to a variety of beautiful parks that offer residents and visitors scenic natural areas, recreational opportunities, and glimpses into the city’s rich history. From large multi-purpose parks perfect for sports and family gatherings to quiet green spaces ideal for relaxing or walking, Fort Smith’s park system provides something for everyone.
This article will explore 10 of the top parks in Fort Smith, highlighting their key features, amenities, and what makes each one unique. Whether you’re looking for adventure or simply a place to unwind, the parks covered here offer fun and enjoyment for all ages.
Garrison Avenue Park
Garrison Avenue Park is one of the largest and most heavily used parks in Fort Smith. Sprawling over 160 acres, it offers an impressive array of recreation options. Baseball and softball fields dominate much of the park, with space for dozens of games simultaneously. A playground, picnic shelters, restrooms, and walking trails encircle the fields.
The scenic trails wind through wooded areas providing glimpses of wildlife like deer and birds. During the warmer months, you may also spot community theater or musical performances taking place at the park’s outdoor stage and band shell. With its central location just south of downtown, Garrison Avenue Park is ideal for large community events and sports leagues. It truly has something for everyone as both a premier recreational facility and beautiful natural escape in the heart of the city.
Kennedy Park
Nestled along a scenic bluff overlooking the Arkansas River, Kennedy Park affords some of the most picturesque views in Fort Smith. At just 25 acres, it’s smaller than Garrison Park but remains a local favorite thanks to its tranquil natural beauty. Picnic tables, a playground, and walking trails invite relaxation and leisurely strolls through hardwood forests and along the riverbank. During warmer months, you may spot families swimming or fishing from the shore below. Interpretive signage along the trails also provides a self-guided tour, educating visitors on the region’s plant and animal life.
Nearby you’ll find the Kennedy Monitor, an historic scaled replica of the Confederate submarine that orchestrated the first combat use of a submersible military vessel during the Civil War. Though compact, Kennedy Park punches above its size by maximizing natural splendor and minimal development for simply soaking in the beauty of Fort Smith from its scenic river vistas.
Chaffee Crossing
Once a military base, Chaffee Crossing has transformed into a 4,500 acre recreational mecca on Fort Smith’s outskirts. Named after former Arkansas Senator Charles B. Chaffee, it hosts a variety of active recreational uses. Mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding trails snake through forests and meadows, testing outdoor enthusiasts’ skills over challenging terrain. The Razorback Greenway, a 38-mile multiuse trail linking Fayetteville to Fort Smith, runs directly through Chaffee Crossing.
Fishermen flock to Lake Sheid, a 70-acre reservoir stocked with crappie, bass, and catfish. For four-legged friends, a 25-acre dog park maintains separate fenced areas for large and small dogs. Events like music festivals, races, and seasonal activities keep things lively as well. Meanwhile, history buffs can check out the restored structures from Chaffee’s military past at the History and Nature Trail. With so much diversity, Chaffee Crossing provides recreation for virtually any interest while preserving the natural areas for future generations to enjoy.
Mt. Harmony Cemetery
While not primarily a recreational area, Mount Harmony Cemetery merits inclusion for its historical significance. Established in 1842, it holds the remains of many notable figures from Fort Smith’s early years. The gravesite of frontiersman and lawman Judge Isaac C. Parker, nicknamed the “Hanging Judge,” draws many history buffs and fans of the Old West. Parker presided over the federal court here from 1875 to 1896, trying and sentencing hundreds of criminals in his efforts to establish order in Indian Territory.
Other graves within the tranquil 35-acre cemetery belong to soldiers from the American Civil War and later conflicts, as well as prominent local pioneers and Native Americans displaced by westward expansion. A self-guided historic markers tour introduces visitors to the many influential inhabitants interred here. With its atmosphere of quiet remembrance, Mount Harmony Cemetery preserves an outdoor memorial to those who shaped the city at its inception and offers a glimpse into Fort Smith’s notable past.
Sanson Park
Nestled along the banks of Poteau River, Sanson Park provides a serene natural escape within city limits. At only 10 acres, it maintains an undeveloped woodland character ideal for walking and relaxation. Winding trails lead visitors through forests of pine, oak, and dogwood, thick with birdsong and the sounds of flowing water. Picnic shelters, benches, and open grassy areas allow soaking in the tranquil woodland surroundings.
For kids, a playground offers a chance to burn off excess energy while being similarly immersed in nature. Come spring, flowers like iris, daffodils, and azaleas burst forth colorful, and summer heat drives dragonflies in swirling dances above the river. Autumn sees the woods awash in burnished golds, crimsons, and rusty tones. Residents love Sanson Park for its peaceful reprieve right on Fort Smith’s doorstep, preserving a snippet of wilderness serenity amid the city. With only nature’s ambiance to entertain, it fosters true relaxation and connection to the landscape.
Rivertown Park
Located near downtown Fort Smith, Rivertown Park sits on the banks of the scenic Arkansas River. Though modest at just 12 acres, its prime riverfront access amplifies its recreational offerings. Joggers and cyclists enjoy the 1.3-mile crushed stone trail encircling the park, with unparalleled views of the water and bluffs beyond. Dedicated walkers can practically circle downtown while taking in the sights. Young and old alike also play at the playground and basketball court.
During summer months, free movies are projected here on weekends for outdoor cinema nights. Visitors like to picnic on the expansive lawn and grill out while gazing at sunsets paint the sky and river in vibrant hues. Nearby, short hiking paths lead to scenic river overlooks and educational signs conveying historical tidbits. Though small, Rivertown Park packs a punch with its prime location and active features ideal for working off excess energy right downtown along one of Fort Smith’s hallmark natural features.
Boys & Girls Club Park
Providing a fun escape for Fort Smith’s youth, Boys & Girls Club Park prioritizes facilities and programming for children and teenagers. Sprawling over 50 acres on the city’s north side, its amenities include baseball/softball fields, a soccer complex, stocked fishing pond, playground, pavilions, and walking trails. However, it truly excels through the educational and character-building programs held here. Older kids and teens stay active with programs in sports, arts, computer training, life skills, career prep, and more.
Younger children develop through tutoring, STEM, cooking classes, and organized recreational sports. The park also serves as a summer day camp hub, with daily activities keeping kids engaged. This focus on youth enrichment and development, in addition to providing top-notch recreational spaces, makes Boys & Girls Club Park invaluable for families in the community. Even those just seeking activities will find fun festivals and special events frequently hosted here.
Chaffee Point
Perched high on a bluff, Chaffee Point offers some of the most sweeping overlooks in Fort Smith. Part of the expansive Chaffee Crossing recreation area, the scenic outlook affords picturesque 360-degree views stretching for miles across forests, hills, and the Arkansas River valley. Interpretive panels describe the geography and history visible from the distinct rocky promontory. On a clear day, it’s even possible to see downtown Fort Smith and beyond. Nestled against the rocky cliff, a peaceful hiking trail circumnavigates the point through hardwood forests.
Birdwatchers may spot raptors like hawks surveying the landscape from above or songbirds flitting among tree branches. Come spring, hillsides burst with purple phlox and white trillium wildflowers. With its inspiring panoramas and light trails through calm woods, Chaffee Point provides a splendid pause to take in the natural beauty surrounding Fort Smith from a remarkable high place. Its scenic vistas rank among the most special spots to reconnect with the surrounding environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Fort Smith boasts an excellent variety of parks reflecting the city’s natural splendor and rich history. From larger multi-purpose facilities perfect for sports and events, to more rustic greenspaces ideal for solitude, each area highlighted here cultivates enjoyment of the great outdoors. Whether residents or visitors, spending time in Fort Smith’s parks fosters leisure, adventure, exercise, education, and community. They preserve natural beauty and special landscapes while serving as common gathering places.
As development continues to transform the city landscape, maintaining robust green spaces will remain crucial to public well-being. Exploring these 10 top parks allows truly appreciating Fort Smith’s commitment to balancing recreational needs, conservation, and celebrating its storied past. Overall, the system demonstrates how purposefully designed public lands can strengthen civic bonds and quality of life for all.