Best of Siloam Springs

18 • Best of Siloam Springs Wednesday, March 27, 2019 Siloam Springs Herald-Leader By Renee Durham Siloam Springs is a small town with a huge personality. Booming population growth and healthy business development make Siloam Springs the perfect place to call home in a picturesque setting. e Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce is a driving force behind keeping Siloam Springs in the Spotlight and improving the quality of life for all. In 2017, Siloam Springs was selected as #68 in e Best Places to Live in Amer- ica by MONEY Magazine, but Chamber employees, business leaders and members of this community continue to keep their town a number one priority for everyone in the area. e city has been working on infra- structure with several projects completed or in the works. Narrowing a main street leading to downtown, the addition of the dog park adjacent to the skate park at Bob Henry, and the extensive work being done on Memorial Park where they are currently working on the mini-amp, which will be called Chautauqua Amphi- theatre. e amphitheater, a splash pad, big bathrooms, concessions and a per- manent home for a farmer's market and green space should be completed during spring of this year. It will all be free; the city is looking to bring in free acts and events throughout the year for the new Amphitheatre and is inviting community participation with a callout for "Who is your favorite band?" for ongoing enter- tainment and events. While focus has been on Memorial Park and Twin Springs Park, a huge project at the 165 acre City Lake Park is nearing completion which includes a new pump track, and walking trails all the way around City Lake. According to Nathan Reed, Chamber Vice President of Economic Development prior to the upgrades "it was inaccessible and not really usable, like trudging through the forest. Now they have defined paths and bridges going over the swampy areas so you can get to both sides." e trails are all around the lake, where there was no path at all, picnic facilities, the two hundred foot wooden bridge is great for photos, a birder blind, and even a sign that says "enchanted forest." Across the road there are bike paths for beginner to novice, so something for everyone is the inclusive message. Economic growth is highlighted with three new restaurants opening down- town in the just past two months –with several more dining facilities on the local horizon; it's just exponential growth. e Siloam Springs: Being the Best

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