Message from the Mayor

As the Mayor, I for one know the ever changing dynamics of the beautiful city we all call home. While thinking of innovative ways to communicate and connect with our citizens, one of the answers is of old fashion roots. This will be the first of many newsletters that will highlight the various departments throughout the City. Welcome to the “Frisco Express” newsletter, I hope you enjoy the read!

As you look around our beautiful city, you will see change all around us. The west side of our city continues to thrive with a new business or restaurant opening almost weekly. Street projects funded by the 2011 bond issue have exponentially improved mobility. Since the Razorback Greenway was completed in 2015, we continue to add improvements to this regional trail system by adding connector trails throughout the entire city. Our trail system has been a great investment, as we have seen the walkability of our community improve tremendously.

Downtown has gone through a metamorphous in the last five years. When I took office, downtown was becoming an afterthought in Rogers, many believed that her best days were in the past. Now, most people that I visit with are excited to see the crowd downtown on any given night. The widening of roads and installation of sidewalks are making the area safer for both pedestrians and motorists. The addition of the Railyard, which is a world-class bike park, has brought cyclists from all over the nation.
As a result, by the end of 2016 we will have hosted three major cycling events in downtown this year. The new Downtown Farmer’s market brings truck-loads of fresh produce each weekend, where folks can come for groceries and conversation. The Brick Streets are coming alive once again as Downtown becomes the place to live, work, and play.

Key to the downtown redevelopment is the revitalization of Lake Atalanta. As with many who are long-time citizens of Rogers, Lake Atalanta holds many childhood memories for us. Memories that I feared my own children would not get to experience for themselves because of the lack of maintenance over the years. Because of your vote on the 2011 bond issue and a partnership with the Walton Family Foundation, Lake Atalanta will once again become a true gem for Rogers, and the entire Northwest Arkansas region. Once again Lake Atalanta will be a place for families to create new memories or re-create memories of the past.
All the citizens of Rogers help shape this wonderful city. If you own a business, are raising our future leaders, serve on a board or commission, shop locally, or volunteer your time, I want to personally thank you, not only as the Mayor, but also as a citizen of Rogers.

Department Highlight: Rogers Police

August has been a busy month for the Rogers Police Department and it isn't slowing down any time soon.

On August 2nd the department held it’s 3rd Annual Rogers Night Out at St. Mary’s Center for Non-Profits. The event is part of the National Night Out, a community-police awareness-raising program.

Rogers Police Department and ~~the~~ Rogers Fire Department co-hosted the event. Both departments displayed vehicles to let kids see and experience what being inside a public safety vehicle is like.

Several local businesses and organizations assisted with the event: Sheepdog Impact Assistance cooked hot dogs donated by Sam’s; Mars M&M distributed candy and provided music; and Rogers Activity Center treated the crowd with snow cones. This year over 300 people attended Rogers Night Out. Community participation has grown each year.

On August 14th RPD will begin it's re-accreditation process with, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

Accreditation is a voluntary process RPD goes through in an effort to align its policies and procedures to the highest standards in law enforcement. The re-accreditation process is repeated every few years to make sure the department is living up to those standards. Citizens of Rogers ~~are~~ were encouraged to be part of the process by attending a community forum Monday, August 15^th. The evaluation ends on August 17th.

RPD will also participate in the Benton County Law Enforcement’s community forum on Tuesday, August 16th. The Rogers, Bentonville, Siloam Springs, and Pea Ridge Chiefs of Police, along with the Benton County Sheriff will discuss current national events in law enforcement and minority communities. The event will be held at NWACC’s in White Hall at 6 pm.

Since school is back in session RPD will be out making sure motorist do NOT pass stopped school busses and observe school zone traffic laws to keep our kids safe.

Closing out the month of August the annual Frisco Festival August 26^th – 27^th in downtown Rogers. Officers will be there keeping a watchful eye ~~out~~ and connecting with the community they love to serve each and every day.

This Month in Rogers History

The Rogers Daily News reported on August 20, 1936 that O.L. Gregory, owner of the local vinegar plant, was making plans to transfer approximately 100 acres to the City to build a lake near Diamond Springs. Built in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration, the lake was named for Gregory’s wife, Atalanta. Rogers granted a lease in 1947 to J.D. “Cactus” Clark for a piece of property on the south side of Lake Atalanta he intended to use for a new resort. The Lakeside Resort was dedicated on July 4, 1948 and featured a café, a swimming pool, a bait shop with a boat rental facility, a skating rink, and a miniature golf course.

Few activities in Rogers were more popular than the abundance of things to do at Lake Atalanta and the Lakeside Resort. Atalanta Park included picnic tables, playground equipment, and tennis courts. From 1957 through 1970 the lake served as the city’s water supply until Beaver Lake became a water source and in the 1970s a stage was added near the old tennis courts, numerous native trees were planted, and the Game and Fish Commission introduced Amur carp to the lake to control vegetation. In 1985 a pavilion was added to the south end of the park. The Lakeside Pool and Activity Center was purchased by the City of Rogers and the Rogers Youth Center in 1995. Today these old amenities are gone, but the redevelopment of the Lake will once again make the site a Rogers destination for many years to come and a true community resource.

Project Updates

Walnut Street at Lake Atalanta – This project is being constructed in conjunction with the Lake Atalanta Park project to improve access, provide separated pedestrian/bicycle connectivity beneath Walnut Street, and improve drainage. The large box culvert installation has just finished and the walls are being built. Curb and storm drainage are being installed.
Monte Ne Realignment – This project will realign the existing route from Arkansas Street south to Monte Ne Road to create a 4-lane boulevard. Utilities are in the process of relocating their infrastructure. The project has bid and is expected to start road construction this fall.
52nd Bypass on the Razorback Greenway Trail – This new multi-use trail will make travel on the Razorback Regional Greenway Trail easier. It will travel through Village on the Creeks mainly on a route away from existing roads. The trail is under construction and is scheduled to be open by the end of 2016.
Trail Bridge at New Hope on the Razorback Greenway Trail - This new multi-use trail bridge will make travel on the Razorback Regional Greenway Trail less complicated. It will travel across Blossom Way Creek, bypassing the sidewalk along New Hope Road and 46th Street. The bridge is under construction and is scheduled to be open by the end of 2016.
Bellview from Pleasant Grove to I49 – This transportation and drainage improvement project to widen Bellview Road to 4 lanes is quickly wrapping up construction and should be complete in the fall of 2016.
Perry from Bellview to 21st - This transportation and drainage improvement project will widen Perry road to 4 lanes from Bellview Road to 24th Street, and 3 lanes from 24thStreet to 21st Street. Construction has started and should be complete by the end of 2017.
Multi-use Trail from Regional Sports Park to Foerster Park - This new multi-use trail will provide a connection from the Regional Sports Park to Foerster Park. It will travel primarily along Easy Street. The trail is about to start construction and is scheduled to be open by the end of 2016.
Bellview from City limits to Pleasant Grove - This transportation and drainage improvement project will widen Bellview Road to 4 lanes from the southern city limits to Pleasant Grove Road. The project will also include improvements to Garrett Road between 41st and 37th Streets. Private utility relocations are on-going and road construction will start after their completion

Rogers Activity Center: Upcoming Events

Women’s Self Defense class!
September 10, 2016
10am-12pm
Ages 13+
$25 per person (no membership required)
This self-defense class will present practical techniques to help manage potentially threatening situations. We will learn and practice tactics to help negotiate extreme circumstances and protect your well-being. We will cover known preventative measures to create instincts and reactions that are appropriate to minimize threats to your safety.

Volleyball Open Gym
This summer every Friday night, we will have
Open Gym from 6pm – 8pm for Volleyball!!

Annual Memberships
Youth $20
Adult $40
Family $80 (2 adults, 4 youth – 18 and under)
Three Day Use Pass, $5

Youth Fall Softball
Registration Deadline: August 11
(Roster and Entry Fee Due)
(Online registration not available for this program.)
Registration by Team – Team Fee 8U – 16U $375
Players will play the Fall Softball Season based on how old they will be on Dec. 31, 2016. Each team will play 10 games for the season.
Players looking for a team can contact Lena Sneary at lsneary@rogersar.gov

Youth Volleyball
Open to Boys and Girls in Grades 4 – 8
(Grade is based on 2016/2017 School Year)
FEE: $50 per player
Registration Deadline: August 24
$10.00 late sign-up fee after August 24
(RAC membership required)

Adult Flag Football
Registration Deadline – August 8
(Roster and Entry Fee Due)
Entry Fee: Men's Open $600
Games Start: Week of September 5

Cheerleading
6 week sessions
Starts September 23, 2016
Friday Nights 5:30pm-6:30pm
Ages 6-14 years old
$60
(RAC Membership Required)
Participants will receive T-shirt and pompoms
Contact Jenna Wolf for any further questions
479-631-0336
jwolf@rogersar.gov

Martial Arts
New session begins each month!!
Martial Arts classes!!
“Kids spell love T-I-M-E.” – John Crudele
The best thing to spend on your children is your time.
$40 per participant per month
RAC membership required