Matthews Park in the heart of Greenbrier Arkansas is a special place. It’s more than just a playground. This park was designed with the community in mind. There are walking trails, a fishing pond, playground equipment, a skate park and so much more. This park hosts activities for the town year-round. If you’re thinking of moving to Greenbrier and want to explore the area Matthews Park needs to be on your list.
A Park with a Purpose
Several features separate Matthews Park from other parks in the area and around Central Arkansas. It’s obvious that the designers of the park took a lot of time to plan the layout and considered the smallest of details. The park consists of over 55 acres and every inch of the park is utilized in some way or another. Small things like tree lines and lines of sight to the overall functionality of the park were planned with a high level of thoughtfulness. The park’s layout was done with the community in mind where it can be utilized year round for various events.
Playground Designed For All Children
The city’s leadership spared no expense when it came to the design and building of the playground. The equipment was designed for all children with all different abilities in mind. It’s a place where all children can play and have fun in a safe environment. Some of the features include wide ramps, sensory-friendly equipment, and accessible swings. It’s a barrier-free playground. If it’s not cold and the sun is out you can almost be guaranteed that there are children enjoying the playground equipment at Matthews Park.
Cool Off in the Splash Pad
In the summer when the Arkansas heat kicks in, there are always kids using the splash pad at the park. The splash pad opens on Memorial Day and goes to Labor Day. The hours of operation are 9 am-7 pm. It’s a great place that families can come to and enjoy themselves when it gets really hot without having to pay the high prices of normal water parks. The splash pad is completely free to use.
Skate Park Fun
The park is also home to the area skate park. It’s not uncommon to see young kids, teenagers, and young adults utilizing the features of the skate park. The skate park is open from sun up to sun down every day of the week. Outside of skateboards and rollerblades kids also ride their scooters at the skatepark.
Fishing For Everyone
One of the main draws of Matthews Park is the fishing pond. It is a catch-and-release pond so it stays well stocked and the fishing is always good. The Arkansas Game and Fish regulate the pond and its fish population so there is always a wide variety of fish. It’s a great place to relax and have fun or even to learn to fish. The pond is accessible from all angles so fishing is easy.
Go for a Run
If you’re a runner or like going for walks Mattews Park is the place to be. There are several different courses one can take on the paths.
- Pond Loop Trail (0.22 miles) – A quick, relaxing stroll around the fishing pond.
- Prairie Meadow Gravel Loop (0.25 miles) – A bit longer, perfect for light exercise.
- Prairie Meadow Outer Loop (0.60 miles) – Ideal for joggers or those looking for a longer walk.
People use these trails for various things from intense exercise to walking the dog or just strolling around listening to music. It has something for everyone.
Great For Gatherings and Events
Birthday parties, family reunions, and community events are just some of the common activities at the park. The First Security Bank Pavilion is a great shaded area for those hot days. It has picnic tables and places to grill making it an ideal gathering area.
Why Matthews Park Matters if You’re Moving to Greenbrier
If you’re considering the move to Greenbrier places like Matthews Park are a focus point of the community. It’s part of the overall lifestyle of living in Greenbrier. The city is community-oriented and Matthews Park is a place where the community can gather, interact, and have fun. Buying a home in Greenbrier has so many benfits from great schools, low crime, and community spaces such as Matthews Park.
Final Thoughts
By this point, you probably know my thoughts on the city of Greenbrier AR, and Matthews Park. Greenbrier is an amazing town with so much to offer everyone and Matthews Park is a great community-focused space where everyone of all ages can come and enjoy themselves. Walking, playing on the playground, using the skate park, and even fishing are some of the draws of the park. I encourage everyone to take the drive up Highway 65 and check out the park for themselves.