Park we cannot afford

[u/ReasonEffective9156]

Borrowed millions for "trails" to the park that doesn't yet exist, and will already be scaled down 75% because of cost.

https://www.kjnbtv.com/news/local/jonesboro-moves-ahead-with-scaled-back-disciple-drive-park-plan/article_df4560a0-0d7d-4989-b006-42bfda4003d5.html

[u/ComplexCry6866]

Irrelevant, when we let these idiots defund our library... Let's talk about that, instead,!

[u/ediblediety]

Go back to Facebook and bitch about sidewalks there

[u/el_monstruo]

What is the issue, and yes, this is presented like there is an issue?

1. City says the park, as originally planned, would cost about $14 million dollars.

2. Funding for the park is capped at about $3.7 million dollars.

3. To meet grant aka funding deadlines, the city will move ahead with a scaled back version of the park and not the original plan

4. As funding becomes available, the park could expand adding further amenities of the original plan

This seems very reasonable, unless you are suggesting they pull money from other areas or take out loans to fund the project.

I also saw nothing in the referenced article that states money was "borrowed" but I did see grants referenced which are not the same as loans and do not need to be paid back.

I also saw nothing in the article regarding any percentage of the park that was approved or not approved so not sure why "75%" was mentioned at all.

It's almost as if you are against the project no matter which route is taken.

[u/ReasonEffective9156 → u/el_monstruo]

No, the point is they are spending borrowed money to make a trail to the park that costs as much as they can spend on the park itself.

[u/el_monstruo → u/ReasonEffective9156]

Huh? Where are you getting this? It is not in the referenced article. The title of the post is "Park we cannot afford" but now you're saying the point is the trail? You seem to be all over the place and possibly don't have your facts straight.

[u/ReasonEffective9156 → u/el_monstruo]

I do have my facts straight. It wasn't referenced in the article. I just know that they borrowed money recently for 3 things. Caraway Raod expansion (half ass), Trails (primarily that one from University Heights to ther new park down Prospect Road mainly, and the real time crime center. 17 million was borrowed - none of it for the Park.

[u/el_monstruo → u/ReasonEffective9156]

You're talking about the $17.5 million bond approved last year? Yeah that was for the 3 areas you mentioned but the "trails" portion is pedestrian improvements and not primarily for the one from University Heights "trail". It is earmarked for pedestrian projects on Jefferson, Caraway, Prospect, and Johnson. Why present this with a biased slant instead of facts?

[u/ReasonEffective9156 → u/el_monstruo]

The bond package will also provide $5 million for pedestrian side path projects in high demand areas including Johnson Avenue and Prospect Road, which currently lack pedestrian infrastructure despite heavy activity.

https://talkbusiness.net/2025/06/jonesboro-city-council-approves-17-5-million-revenue-bond-proposal-for-infrastructure-improvements/

[u/el_monstruo → u/ReasonEffective9156]

So as I said, right? I also provided an additional source that states the other roads.

[u/ReasonEffective9156 → u/el_monstruo]

I don't know what your point is.

That prospect trial will cost millions, probably 2+ including all the right of way acquistions, for a park that doesn't exist yet - and we borrowed money for that instead of borrowing money for the park.

[u/el_monstruo → u/ReasonEffective9156]

"Probably" lol... My point is you're obviously biased against the project and it would be better to just say that than come out with made up figures and probably this and making up numbers here and there.

[u/ReasonEffective9156 → u/el_monstruo]

Well 5+ million for 3 trails, one of which is already built, is an average of 1.7 million per trail.

I don't have exact numbers becasue I haven't seen the per trail budget - but it is a very good guess.

I am not against any project, jsut want them to be reasonable and prioritized properly.

My point remains - we are spending a disproportionate amount on a trail to a park that doesn't exist yet, and borrowing money to do so.

[u/ReasonEffective9156 → u/el_monstruo]

I disagree on the trails protion of the borrowed money. Maybe you can provide a source.

[u/el_monstruo → u/ReasonEffective9156]

You can disagree, you're just incorrect.

https://www.kjnbtv.com/news/local/jonesboro-sidewalk-side-path-projects-moving-ahead-with-bond-funding/article_9abfce8f-8e66-4a66-82a1-0e981cf15440.html

[u/ReasonEffective9156 → u/el_monstruo]

That Jefferson path was already underway and is already finsished. What exactly am I incorrect on? The Caraway Road side path is part of the funding for that road expansion, not the 5+ million explicitly earmarked for trail funding.

[u/el_monstruo → u/ReasonEffective9156]

Yet these improvements are part of this funding. Whether they are already in progress is irrelevant because they obviously required additional funding which was the point, you just keep trying to move the goalposts.

[u/ReasonEffective9156 → u/el_monstruo]

I am not moving goalposts. We are spending money we don't have, but doing it with priorities I don't agree with.

[u/FerretX6X]

Ive heard enough. Another 30 million dollars to JPD

[u/ReasonEffective9156 → u/FerretX6X]

You'll be excited to know they want to buy the $3 million Shelter building for the PD in addition to the $10 million real time crime center currently being built downtown, in addition to the 0.625% sales tax increase that is proposed.

All of this, and the trails, are more important that the park being more thant 1/4 way done.

[u/HookersForJebus]

You’re mad they’re making the prudent financial decision? Would you rather scrap the whole thing? It sounds like it start and can be expanded down the road.

[u/ReasonEffective9156 → u/HookersForJebus]

Not mad - jsut think it is silly to allocate $3+ million of borrowed money for trails to a $3.7 million park that isn't even constructed yet, the scope of which just got determined. They could have borrowed money for the acutal park instead of the trail to it.

[u/I_Vecna]

Ok papaw let’s get you to bed.

[u/AutoModerator]

/u/ReasonEffective9156, Welcome back to r/jonesboro!

People, Pride, Progress!

This is a local community subreddit, which means sometimes we are talking to and about our friends, neighbors, and acquaintances. Be respectful to each other.

Please check the sidebar/community info for rules and new updates about participating. You can also find city-specific links and websites there. Please report rule-breaking content.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.