<p>Crafton Tull was selected by the City of Rogers to prepare a master plan, engineering documents, and architectural designs for a park and aquatics center to serve the city as a special recreation destination. The theme of the park is &ldquo;Nature in the Ozarks,&rdquo; with the 18.5 acre Aquatic Center as the &ldquo;Ozark Swimming Hole.&rdquo; This theme is also carried throughout the park and aquatic center in the architectural elements, paving design, water features, play elements, and signage.</p>
<p>The Aquatics Center is located on the west end of the park and includes recreational elements, including a lazy river, tower slides, spray pools, and a tot pool nestled amongst drifts of native landscape. A locker room and concession serves the park users, while a competition pool provides a location for team events, therapy classes and other deep water activities. The east end of the park is dedicated to open play fields and ponds surrounded by wetland vegetation. Trails connect the park to the city-wide trail system.</p>
<h6>&nbsp;</h6>
<h6><strong>Aquatics International Award Winner: </strong>2016 Dream Designs Award</h6>

Learn about Crafton Tull's work on Rogers Aquatics Center.

Crafton Tull | Rogers Aquatics Center

[X] Rogers Aquatics Center

Education

Awards

ASLA

Learn more about Dave Roberts and his role and experience at Crafton Tull.

Crafton Tull | Dave Roberts

<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Dave is responsible for overseeing and contributing to site planning and urban design projects that include community redevelopment plans, corridor plans, campus master plans, parks &amp; recreation system plans, as well as bicycle &amp; pedestrian network plans. Dave often presents sessions at conferences in the Mid-South region on planning healthy communities, urban planning strategies, and the benefits of placemaking. His daily responsibilities also include administration of the marketing department and business development for the firm.</span></p>

<p>Walking is a relative term that means foot (or wheel) transportation. My teenage daughter uses a power wheelchair for mobility and her rolling fits under the category of walking. Often bike riding falls in line with walkability as well. Many urban and suburban dwellers have the benefit of utilizing bicycles as an option for commuting to work or to other amenities. Many think of cycling only in terms of recreation, and it can be, but a bicycle is also an alternative form of (active) transportation. While some communities are well-positioned for this influx in active transportation, others may not be.</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/walkability_score/walkabiltiy_pedestrian_safety.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="806" /></p>

<h2>Walkability</h2>
<p>Walkability is a planning term that measures an area&rsquo;s ease of connectivity via non-vehicular transportation. Walkability speaks to a location&rsquo;s walk score, which analyzes hundreds of&nbsp;routes to nearby amenities and produces a score based on those factors. In other words, walkability measures how friendly an area is to walking. Walkability factors include the presence or absence and quality of pedestrian facilities, amount of vehicular traffic and roadway conditions, surrounding land uses, accessibility, and user safety, among others. Sustainable urban design and walkability go hand in hand. A walk score helps us remember that streets are more than just a place for cars and trucks. A street is meant for all modes of transportation, and places with multiple mobility choices get higher walk scores. We should relish the process of transportation rather than trying to get somewhere as fast as possible. Ralph Waldo Emerson is purported to have said, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not the destination, it&rsquo;s the journey.&rdquo; Why not gain benefits from that journey? The outcomes of a good walk score are livability, which affects economic development, safety, health, environment, quality of life, and many other community benefits.</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/walkability_score/infrastructure_barriers.jpg" alt="" width="727" height="727" /></p>
<h6>Infrastructure barriers</h6>
<p>When things get back to normal, post-pandemic, what will we have learned from our walks? Will we realize that our legs and lungs are stronger from it, that our mind is clearer, and our perception of our neighborhood is now different? Alternatively, will we default back to our cars, forsaking this newly found joy that has been an important part of our daily routine? Life moves so fast when it&rsquo;s spent inside our glass and steel bubbles zipping from place to place. We often sacrifice so much for the sake of speed and convenience. Will we realize that our community&rsquo;s walk score is low because our communities have not fully embraced their transportation options? It is never too late to make changes to your town&rsquo;s built environment by adding options for active transportation. If infrastructure changes are needed, then a walkshop along with grants can help with planning, design, funding, and implementation.</p>

<h2>Walk score</h2>
<p>Does your community have a good walk score, or a poor one? What is the process a community takes to improve its walk score? Walk audits or Walkshops are a good first step (pun intended). Walkshops are interactive walking workshops with professional planners, community leaders, and advocates to develop placemaking concepts and solutions for alternative transportation (walking &amp; cycling) by analyzing an area&rsquo;s walkability, circulation, universal access, parking, safety, and sustainability. Often wayfinding, beautification, and community character improvements are also part of the inventory. Typically this occurs in a community&rsquo;s downtown or commercial area that is often surrounded by neighborhoods.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Have you ever visited a community&rsquo;s sleepy downtown and noticed it&rsquo;s in virtual hibernation as if the shops have not changed in decades, assuming there are many shops to visit? These downtowns often have a few open stores, maybe a restaurant or two, usually an insurance office, a bank, perhaps a florist, and plenty of empty storefronts. &nbsp;Typically, few cars are present and even less foot traffic on the sidewalks.&nbsp; What story does that tell a visitor to the area? Is it a story of growth, resilience, and expansion, or a tale of increased vacancy and decline? How does the infrastructure that supports the downtown contribute to that story? Are the crosswalks clearly marked, curb cuts present, and&nbsp;in appropriate locations? What&rsquo;s the quality of pavement on the downtown streets? Are there gateways into town and wayfinding to direct first-time visitors? Is the downtown walkable and does it support cycling as an alternative form of transportation?&nbsp;If so, is there a network in place that links your downtown to surrounding neighborhoods, parks, and schools?</p>
<p>I saw the downtown story of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, dramatically change in less than five years. Their &lsquo;Old Towne District&rsquo; was much like what is described above, with few cars and even fewer pedestrians frequenting only a handful of shops and one restaurant. It was off the beaten path (removed from I-55), seemingly a victim of big-box store displacement. The City brought in urban planners to help with a downtown master plan, and employed landscape architects and engineers to create streetscape plans that changed the district&rsquo;s focus from vehicular to more pedestrian. A few developers took a risk by adding some mixed-use, e.g., retail on the first floor and apartments on upper floors on one block, a new restaurant opened, and then a bike shop and in no time &ndash; everything changed. The key was the walkability afforded by the wider sidewalks and safe crosswalks. They even added a mid-block crossing using rapid flashing beacons to alert drivers of pedestrians ready to cross the street. The City rebranded the area as the &lsquo;Rose District, &rsquo; giving it an identity based on the flowers in the raised planters and the baskets that hang from the new lampposts. The before and after photos are great examples of how walkability is necessary for downtown retail to thrive.</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/walkability_score/crafton_tull_rose_district_broken_arrow.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="451" /></p>
<h6>Broken Arrow Rose District</h6>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/walkability_score/walkability_crafton_tull_rose_district.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="451" /></p>
<h6>Broken Arrow Rose District midblock crossing</h6>
<p>Walkshops, typically led by urban planners, are opportunities to share observations and provide possible infrastructure improvements. Attendees may include mayors or other elected officials, the city engineer or public works director, parks director, local healthcare agency directors, business owners, and community advocates. Those present must include people in the town that can effect change. They are the ones who need to see the issues and hear the solutions in order for commitment to take hold. There is no replacement for the firsthand experience of walking on existing streets and sidewalks to get an understanding of the issues a downtown is facing. That experience cannot be replicated from the seat of a car.</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/walkability_score/walkshop_crafton_tull.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="569" /></p>
<h6>De Queen Walkshop 2019 (Center for Community Development, UCA)</h6>
<p>A few years back, I led a walkshop in Broken Arrow&rsquo;s Rose District to show off the &lsquo;what and how&rsquo; rather than analyze what could be possible. The attendees were leaders from other communities who hoped to borrow some of the secrets they could take back to their own downtowns. After the walkshop, a technical report is often the deliverable with photos and a narrative that summarizes the on-site analysis that includes the opportunities and constraints identified at the event. The technical report may also provide funding sources and next step options, so the community leaders have a clear path toward improving their town&rsquo;s transportation infrastructure. The walkshop can be the first step in changing the downtown&rsquo;s story. Each of those changes will affect the community&rsquo;s walk score and, more importantly, make an impact on visitors and the locals, who live, work, and play downtown. Once the COVID-19 crisis is over, &nbsp;downtown businesses will need extra love to get back lost revenue from lack of foot traffic or online only sales. What better way to help restore small businesses that are vital to the community than by conducting a walkshop to set improvements in motion? We are here to help cities and towns organize, mobilize, and navigate the grant process to find the funds to do just that.</p>

Quality of pedestrian facilities, amount of vehicular traffic, among others, determine walkability.

Dave's Work

Learn about Crafton Tull's work on Two Rivers Park Trail Improvements.

Crafton Tull | Two Rivers Park Trail Improvements

AICP, ASLA

Learn more about Julie Luther Kelso and her role and experience at Crafton Tull.

Crafton Tull | Julie Luther Kelso

<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Julie is a Project Manager and Director of <strong>Planning </strong></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">for Crafton Tull. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners as well as the American Planning Association and is a licensed Landscape Architect in both Arkansas and Texas. Julie&rsquo;s areas of expertise include large-scale comprehensive plans, bicycle and pedestrian plans, and park system master plans, as well as site-specific projects such as streetscape corridors, trail design, and campus planning projects. She has managed several award-winning projects varying in scale from a few city blocks to several counties.</span></p>

<h2><strong>A shift in focus</strong></h2>
<p>In 1940, with less than 20 percent of Americans living in rural or suburban areas, metropolitan downtown remained the hub of economic activity in the United States. Even families who lived outside of the city had to travel downtown for entertainment, including theatres, plays, restaurants, gathering space, and commerce. These figures changed drastically when the post-war automobile boom made it possible to live outside the city center where new suburban homes were being constructed at a rapid pace.&nbsp;By 2000, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/censr-4.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">U.S. Census Bureau</a>, half of the U.S. population lived in suburban areas.&nbsp;This mass exodus resulted in outlying shopping malls and big-box retail, with their ample parking and one-stop shopping appeal. They soon replaced downtown areas as the center of retail, culture, entertainment, and gathering space. Downtowns became increasingly neglected as local businesses couldn&rsquo;t compete with big box stores. Research analysts at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/04/retail-meltdown-of-2017/522384/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cowen and Company</a>&nbsp;published a study in early 2017 that found&nbsp;&ldquo;The number of malls in the U.S. grew more than twice as fast as the population between 1970 and 2015.&rdquo; Churches and entertainment venues also followed locating alongside the residential development of the suburbs.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/american_downtown/little_rock_main_street.webp" alt="Little Rock Main Street" width="800" height="1184" /></p>

<h2><strong>Downtowns re-emerge</strong></h2>
<p>Decades later, as communities grew with unimpressive, ubiquitous retail corridors, there was a renewed interest in downtowns and the sense of place found there.&nbsp;<strong>The homogeneity of &lsquo;Anywhere USA&rsquo; left people searching to rediscover the shared experience found downtown.</strong>&nbsp;In no place is this seen more clearly than in the retail sector. Research firm&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cushmanwakefield.us/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cushman &amp; Wakefield</a>&nbsp;published a study finding mall visits declined 50 percent between 2010 and 2013. Nine once formidable department stores filed for bankruptcy in 2017 alone. The result intensified an effort first brought about in the late 1990s and early 2000s to recreate downtowns on a national scale by reconfiguring the traditional indoor mall into new urban lifestyle centers that modeled downtown scale, walkability, and architecture.&nbsp; Ironically, due in part to the affordability of available space, actual downtowns became prime spaces for local businesses, retail, restaurants, and community destinations.&nbsp; In 2012, the U.S. Census Bureau issued a press release stating &ldquo;Between the 2000 and 2010 censuses, metro areas with 5 million or more people experienced double-digit population growth rates within their downtown areas.&rdquo; The takeaway: it is time for cities to build on this momentum.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/american_downtown/dscf7614-1509719920.jpg" alt="American Downtown - Broken Arrow" width="800" height="451" /></p>

<h2><strong>Development trends</strong></h2>
<p>Municipalities, large and small, see the need to help quell the longing for a sense of place; urban planners come in to lighten that load. Christopher B. Leinberger, in a research brief conducted for The Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program explains &ldquo;Early progress must be made in building this expanded definition of infrastructure&mdash;along with a believable commitment to provide the rest&mdash;in order to attract the private sector developers and investors who will ultimately drive the downtown turnaround.&rdquo;&nbsp;<strong>Municipalities are hiring planning and design consultants to redesign public spaces, knowing that private investment will soon follow.</strong>&nbsp;These projects often start with streetscapes, pedestrian spaces, bike lanes, plazas and pocket parks. Revitalization comes about when the public and private sector interests align. As a result, young professionals have begun to flock to live, work, and play in an authentic environment with layers of architectural history and development over time, rather than the re-created, mass-produced copies on the outskirts of town.</p>
<p>With the renewed interest and eager consumers, planners focus on a community&rsquo;s cultural, historical, and natural assets to emphasize its sense of place. In the world of Amazon and online shopping, fashion and d&eacute;cor have become homogenized. With the shift back to downtown, embracing a local pride and an authentic vibe is a valued commodity.</p>

Cities are experiencing renewed interest in downtowns and the sense of place found in these importance spaces.

Julie's Work

AIA, LEED AP

<p>Mark is a Senior Vice President and leads the <strong>Architecture Division</strong> at Crafton Tull, as well as serving on the Board of Directors. He received his bachelor's degree from the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design.</p>
<p>Mark is an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), and is a LEED&reg; AP professional specializing in building design and construction.</p>
<p>Mark has worked for Crafton Tull for over 28 years, and he leads outstanding design teams in developing successful projects in major market sectors, including: primary and secondary education, postsecondary education, corporate, spiritual, municipal, sports, and industrial facilities.</p>
<p><strong>FUN FACT: </strong>Mark started working at Crafton Tull on Valentine's Day in '94 and has loved working here ever since!</p>

Learn more about Mark Owings and his role and experience at Crafton Tull.

Crafton Tull | Mark Owings

<p>Mark is a Senior Vice President who leads the <strong>Architecture Division</strong> at Crafton Tull and also serves on the Board of Directors.</p>
<p>Mark is an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and is also a LEED AP<sup>&reg;</sup> professional specializing in building design and construction.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Mark leads outstanding design teams in developing successful projects in major market sectors, including primary and secondary education, postsecondary education, corporate, spiritual, municipal, sports, and industrial facilities.</p>

<p>It's no secret that farmers markets have become <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/NationalCountofFMDirectory17.JPG" title="Farmers market popularity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increasingly popular in recent years</a>. As demand for fresh, local produce rises, cities across the country are investing in the development of versatile, strategically located venues with farmers markets in mind. When thoughtfully designed, public spaces that host farmers markets can also serve as festival backdrops, outdoor concert venues, demonstration kitchens, and more. From an urban planning and building design perspective, there are several factors to consider when determining an ideal farmers market location and whether or not a structure is feasible.</p>

<h2>Visibility + Access</h2>
<p>A farmers market can have a wide selection of the freshest local produce in town, but it cannot realize its full potential without a proper location. Central commercial districts, such as downtowns, often make for ideal locations because they offer built-in foot traffic along with easy access and high visibility.</p>
<p><img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.www.craftontull.com/media/uploads/insights/farmers_markets_public_spaces/farmers-markets-1-broken-arrow.jpg" alt="Downtown Farmers Market" width="800" height="988" /></p>
<p>Ensuring connectivity to parks and trail systems is a great way to boost traffic without requiring additional parking. Farmers markets located next to an open green space create opportunities for events that can attract new shoppers. Yoga classes, dog days of summer events where everyone brings their pup, and pop-up art shows can all draw people to a market.</p>

<h2>Structure type</h2>
<p>Many thriving farmers markets take place in the open by using a parking lot or a town square. At these events, vendors provide tents for shade. However, many cities choose to invest in large canopy structures, which provide protection from the elements and make it easy for vendors to set up and tear down. The positive economic impact that farmers markets offer can help offset the short-term construction costs associated with a shade structure. In fact, a 2008 study conducted by staff at Oklahoma State University found that every dollar in total farmers market gross sales generates $2.36 for the local economy.</p>
<p><img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.www.craftontull.com/media/uploads/insights/farmers_markets_public_spaces/farmers-markets-2.jpeg" alt="Farmers Market Pavillion" width="800" height="600" /></p>
<p>If the site allows for new construction of a covered pavilion, public restrooms and shaded seating are amenities that can elevate a farmers market's success. During the planning and design process, it's crucial to consider all of the potential uses a shade structure might provide on a particular site. For example, some communities use pavilions to host farmers markets during growing seasons, but during winter months the pavilion transforms into an outdoor ice skating rink.</p>
<p>An indoor farmers market allows for year-round use and can double as a versatile community event space. If a commercial kitchen is feasible as part of the building design, it can be used for cooking demonstrations, food-prep during festivals, or as an incubator for small business.</p>
<p><img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.www.craftontull.com/media/uploads/insights/farmers_markets_public_spaces/farmers-markets-3-depot.jpeg" alt="Depot Park" width="800" height="775" /></p>
<h6>DEPOT PARK LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN RUSSELLVILLE, ARKANSAS HOSTS THE POPE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET.</h6>

<h2>Success story</h2>
<p>Providing areas with multiple uses is part of what has spelled success for <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestreptalks/2017/08/28/after-his-own-business-stalled-dan-carmody-took-over-detroits-eastern-market-to-help-others/#1247381b1df8">Detroit's Eastern Market</a>. The <a href="https://www.pps.org/places/detroit-eastern-market">farmers market</a> there dates back to 1891, but in 2006 it reorganized as a public/private venture. Today it has a wholesale market, a retail market, and a street market in a five-building complex. Peak foot traffic can hit 50,000 people on a Saturday. While few communities have the potential to reach that scale, more cities are taking advantage of the increasing demand for locally-grown produce.</p>
<p>Many communities are investing in strategically located, thoughtfully designed community spaces that serve as destination farmers markets. This investment is a way for cities to enhance quality of life and strengthen the local economy. When realizing their full potential, farmers markets provide more than access to local fruits and vegetables. The sights, sounds, and activities surrounding them become part of the fabric of a community and create a sense of place.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Mark's Work

Learn about Crafton Tull's work on Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield Headquarters.

Crafton Tull | Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield Headquarters

P.E., LEED AP

Learn more about Matt Crafton and his role and experience at Crafton Tull.

Crafton Tull | Matt Crafton

<p>Matt Crafton is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Crafton Tull.&nbsp; After graduating from the United States Air Force Academy, Matt started his career as a civil engineer in the U.S. Air Force, where he managed the design and construction of many projects for Air Force missions around the world, serving in both Operation DESERT STORM and Operation RESTORE HOPE (Somalia).&nbsp;</p>
<p>In 1998, he transitioned to the Air Force Reserve and came to the company his father, Bob Crafton, co-founded. In his early years with Crafton Tull, Matt managed several large highway design projects and rose to the position of Chief Operating Officer before the Crafton Tull Board of Directors appointed him to the position of CEO in 2009. Today Matt oversees the operations of Crafton Tull&rsquo;s nine offices and provides quality control on a variety of engineering projects.</p>
<p>He holds Professional Engineer licenses in seven states, is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional, the past president of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Arkansas, past chapter president of the Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers, and past chairman of the Rogers-Lowell Chamber of Commerce. He is a deacon at First Baptist Church of Rogers, serves on several local nonprofit boards, and retired from the Air Force Reserve at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He and his wife, Kristi, have four children.</p>

<p>One of my interests outside of work is coaching my son&rsquo;s travel baseball team. He and his teammates are passionate about the sport, so the other coaches and I really enjoy the time helping the boys improve their skills and learn the game. We try to keep the actual travel to a reasonable amount, but we do get to see different ballparks in our region.&nbsp; It has been interesting to see communities make investments that replace ordinary ballparks with attractions that draw visitors from outside of their town. From firsthand experience, the quality of the park itself is a leading factor when teams consider where to play tournaments.</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/sports_parks_as_economic_drivers/sports_parks_economic_drivers_crafton_tull.jpg" alt="Youth Baseball" width="800" height="527" /></p>
<p>In September of 2017, a Time Magazine cover article quoted statistics from WinterGreen Research, a private firm tracking the economics of youth sports over a ten-year period. The report showed a 15 billion dollar market with a rate of growth averaging 7 percent per year. A different report published in 2013 by the National Center for Charitable Statistics estimated out of town tournaments accounted for 27 percent of family travel.</p>
<p>Both studies found the industry to be remarkably resistant to recession. In fact, revenue from sports tourism is a proven boon to the economies that host athletes and their families.</p>
<p>Brad Lacy, president of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce in Arkansas, has seen the positive impact youth sports can have on a city&rsquo;s economy. &ldquo;In trying to be realistic and deliberate about our opportunities for economic development, youth sports became the mechanism through which we built a destination spot,&rdquo; he said. The City of Conway constructed a five-field softball park called City of Colleges Park in 2009 and a nine-field baseball park called Conway Station Park in 2011. Both of these parks are among the best of their kind in the central United States. Both are exceptionally maintained and feature covered bleachers, air-conditioned restroom and concession facilities, and fields built to appropriate dimensions for youth sports.</p>
<p>Large-scale tournaments pump money into a city&rsquo;s local economy through the hotel and restaurant industries, but also in less apparent sectors. For example, anyone who has traveled to an out of town tournament can attest to the amount of downtime involved. During their free time, families go to the movies, shop, or attend a local event. It is not uncommon to see groups decked out in uniforms and team colors around town throughout the year.</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/sports_parks_as_economic_drivers/sports_parks_economic_drivers_crafton_tull_arkansas.jpg" alt="Tourism dollars" width="800" height="551" />&ldquo;From mid-March through October our parks are booked,&rdquo; Conway parks director, Steve Ibbotson said. &ldquo;Each tournament has a minimum of 60 teams &ndash; when you multiply that by the number of players, family members, coaches, you can clearly see how it adds up,&rdquo; he said. Ibbotson mentioned revenue from sales tax as well as advertising and promotion tax revenue as sources of income for the city.</p>

<h2><strong>Factors to consider before a community should invest in a major sports park project</strong></h2>
<div class="row customLists">
<ol>
<li>Before investing in a major park project, consider conducting an economic feasibility study to include conservative estimates for expected revenue and realistic cost estimates for construction and maintenance.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Next, be sure to hire qualified, experienced, licensed professionals to design and construct the park. Brad Lacy addressed the importance of this, saying &ldquo;We build for quality. From the facility&rsquo;s architecture, lighting, seating, etc. This leads to positive experiences and helps us stand out as a destination.&rdquo;</li>
<li>Once your park is constructed, dedicate a qualified staff and a sufficient budget to adequately maintain the park. Immaculately maintained parks improve the experience for the user and leave a lasting impression on visitors, which may lead to repeat tournaments.</li>
<li>Repeat bookings are essential to maximizing the return on your investment. Before allowing a third party to run tournaments at your park, be sure to have a written agreement with them that outlines all the terms of use and ensures they are a good representative of your city. When people feel welcome, safe, and fairly treated, they remember it.</li>
<li>Youth sports have become not only a source of enjoyment for families, but a significant economic benefit for some cities. If your city is considering such an investment, the steps outlined above provide a good starting point in the planning process. The next step is to evaluate the non-sports activities your community offers that cater to families.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Youth sports have become not only a source of enjoyment for families, but a significant economic benefit for some cities.

Matt's Work

Learn about Crafton Tull's work on The Railyard Bike Park Renovations.

PROJECTS

Rogers Aquatics Center

Aquatics International Award Winner: 2016 Dream Designs Award