Jonesboro, AR – (Contributed) – The City of Jonesboro next month will receive a Trendsetter award in Tourism, Development and Creative Culture for its Park Ranger program.
The Honorable Mention award in the category for cities with more than 20,000 in population will be presented at the winter meeting of the Arkansas Municipal League.
A pioneer of a municipal park rangers program, Jonesboro developed the full-time initiative by blending public safety, law enforcement, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.
“Most people are familiar with state and national park rangers, but the role of city park ranger appears to be unique,” said Mayor Harold Copenhaver. “Some communities have volunteers helping in their city parks; however, with the substantial park space in Jonesboro, it’s important we dedicate trained staff for our residents’ and visitors’ safety while enjoying our parks.”
Jonesboro’s Park Rangers primarily support park safety and community engagement. The rangers serve across more than two dozen parks, five community centers, the Downtown Entertainment District, green spaces, and citywide special events. These positions fall under the Code Enforcement Department and reflect the city’s ongoing investment in public safety, cleanliness, and the visitor experience.
Park Rangers are trained in de-escalating situations, crowd management, and emergency medical response. They also receive education on park rules, layouts, features, and interesting facts about nature, flora, and wildlife in Jonesboro’s parks. In addition, these Rangers are certified crowd managers to support safe planning and execution of special events across the city.
“As Jonesboro continues to grow, we must grow smarter, and be committed to the safety of our people, the strength of our neighborhoods, and the success of our shared spaces.” said Copenhaver.
The Park Ranger program was identified as a priority in the award winning Parks Master Plan adopted by the City of Jonesboro in 2024.