Helping create a vibrant, high quality , and equitable Fayetteville parks system.
Make it count, help our parks stand out.
New parks and parkland.
Fayetteville is growing rapidly and it is critical we work as a community to find and preserve land now for the parks of the tomorrow.
Enhance and improve.
We are lucky to have great parks in Fayetteville but they will only stay great if we all work together to keep making them better.
Our parks, our community.
Our parks bring us together and create community. Join us and the many great organizations and individuals taking ownership in making our parks the best they can be.
Scholarship support.
Making sure all the children of Fayetteville can participate the recreation programs provided through Fayetteville parks.
Become a friend
Annual memberships are $25 for an individual and $50 for a family. Please make your membership donation here and provide your contact information to join
Our Board and Financial Partner
Our Board consist of Fayetteville residents, current and former members the Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Advisory Board in addition to two advisory members appointed by the Director of the City of Fayetteville Department of Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs. To apply to join the board or for a detailed list our members please contact us.
Our Financial Partner is the Arkansas Community Foundation which handles all donations made to Friends of Fayetteville Parks. All donations are fully tax deductible and are used to support the Department of Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs or one of the many great non profits directly supporting them.
Julie Chambers is a local architect and community advocate. She has been active with Fayetteville Parks and Rec Advisory Board, is a long time member of Fayetteville Rotary Club, and is an active vestry member at St. Paul's in Fayetteville. Julie enjoys Fayetteville parks with her family in various ways including hiking, discovering native horticulture, biking, camps, and soccer.
Joel S. Freund, an experimental psychologist with a rich and diverse background. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated from C Cleveland Heights High School. Joel pursued higher education at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Over the course of eight years, he earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. After completing his education, Joel embarked on an academic career. In 1970, he joined the University of Arkansas as a new assistant professor of psychology. During his 47-year tenure there, he actively engaged in research, teaching, and advising students. His research specifically revolved around cognitive aging, exploring how aspects of learning and memory change or remain consistent as individuals grow older. Joel retired from his academic position in 2017, and he took up more leisurely activities, including pottery, casual biking, and traveling with close friends. He is a former member of the Fayetteville Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Advisory board, and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.
Hugh R. Kincaid was born and raised in Fayetteville, and he received his BSBA degree (1956) and his law degree (1959) from the University of Arkansas. Hugh has had a varied career as a lawyer. He served in the U.S. Army JAG Corps and with the U.S. Justice Department; he was in private practice, and taught Business Law in the University of Arkansas College of Business Administration. He served as Special Associate Justice on the Arkansas Supreme court, as State Representative in the Arkansas Legislature, and as Fayetteville City Attorney. Hugh has also been a very active in the community. He served on the Board of the United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas, the Advisory Board for Garvan Woodland Gardens, and the Fayetteville School Board. He is past president of the Fayetteville Area Community Foundation and past president of the Arkansas Chapter of the National Committee on Planned Giving, and is currently a member of the Fayetteville Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Advisory board.
Steve Sheely (Chair) and his family moved to Fayetteville in 2005. Steve coached parks and rec soccer for many years, swam many laps at the Wilson Park pool, played disc golf at Northshore and has logged thousands of miles on the Lake Fayetteville Nature Trail preparing for obstacle course races and backpacking adventures. He has served as the pastor of Rolling Hills Baptist Church since 2005. Steve has served on the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Board of Directors, Parents Left Behind Board and the Fayetteville Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Advisory Board since 2019.
Leigh Davis