New parking lot / Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer

A plan to double the size of the Gulley Park parking lot on Township Street is now complete.

Crews this month wrapped up work on the project, and the lot is now open for use. It had been closed for construction since early January.

The lot includes a rain garden area that will soon be filled with plants by park horticulturists. The garden area helps slow and filter stormwater before it enters the nearby Niokaska Creek.

Rain garden for stormwater / Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer

With the new parking lot open, the temporary grass parking area off Old Wire Road is set to be closed. Park patrons are encouraged to continue to access the park on foot or bicycle via the recently completed Niokaska Trail and Old Wire Road Cycle Track.

Next up at the park are planned renovations to the existing restrooms. Portable toilets will be available during construction.

Rain garden for stormwater / Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer

The project was primarily funded through the 2019 parks bond program, and will be followed next year with improvements to the Gulley Park playground area, including adding an interactive fountain. The improvements are part of the Gulley Park Master Plan, which was updated in 2018.

For more information about the Gulley Park Master Plan, visit https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/3070/Gulley-Park-Master-Plan.