Watershed

February 4, 2022

Parks

Orchards Park Construction Making Progress

Bentonville Parks and Recreation

Construction at Orchards Park in Bentonville is underway and is estimated to be completed by May or June this year.

  • Inviting: The park will include a children’s playground with designated areas for 2 to 5-year-olds and 5 to 15-year-olds. There will be a dog park adjacent to the playground featuring fenced areas for small and large dogs. Both amenities will be located across from the Crystal Bridges entrance. 
  • Transform: Orchards Park is located at 1100 NE John Deshields Blvd in Bentonville and already features a lake and fountain. The current construction will transform the green space into an active recreation area for the downtown neighborhoods. 

For more information, click HERE

Finance

Benton County Top Earner In Investment Income

NWA Daily

Investing in Northwest Arkansas pays off, for life really does work here and the numbers show it. 

  • Gains: According to a recent study, and based on net capital gains, ordinary dividends, and qualified dividends, Benton County residents are receiving the most income nationally from their investments. 
  • Rates: "The study developed an investment index using the three previous metrics that were sourced from IRS data. Benton County’s investment index was 14.36." Statewide, Benton County was followed by Pulaski, and then Washington and Sabastian County.

Read the full Talk Business & Politics story HERE

Art & History

Exhibit On Display At Shiloh Museum For Buffalo River's 50th Anniversary

NWA Daily

There’s a special exhibit at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History observing the Buffalo River’s 50 year anniversary of national status. 

  • Scenery: The exhibit is called Ken Smith’s Buffalo River Country and is celebratory of inspiration of the past which came from the scenic Arkansas Ozarks waterway. Smith presents photographs and artifacts from his 1960s survey and exploration of the Buffalo River, all of which played a role in The Ozark Society’s mission to have the Buffalo designated a national river. 
  • On display: There are 24 photos in the exhibit and some personal items of Smith’s, including his camera, portable typewriter, pen and ink illustrations, and tools he used for building trails in ’85 for the first national river. 

For more information and Shiloh exhibits, click HERE

Sports

Razorback Football 2022 Dates Released

NWA Daily

Get out your pens because some important Razorback football dates for 2022 have been released. 

  • Warming up: Sunday, March 13 will mark Head Coach Sam Pittman’s third season leading the Razorbacks with their first spring 2022 practice. On April 16, Arkansas will host a free, open practice inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, and that date alone could be the public’s only opportunity to see the Hogs on the field this spring. 
  • Kick-off: The Razorbacks will open the 2022 season at home after finishing last season ranked within the AP Top 25. The game is Sept. 3 against Cincinnati. Family weekend is scheduled for Sept. 16-18, the weekend the Hogs will take on Missouri State. 

For season tickets and more information, click HERE

Business

3 NWA Businesses Made The World's Most Admired Companies List

NWA Daily

Fortune’s annual ranking of The World’s Most Admired Companies represents corporate reputations. Three Northwest Arkansas ranked in the top 3 in their respective industry rankings. 

  • This year: Fortune ranked Tyson Foods no. 1 in the world in Food Production. Walmart made the no. 1 spot for General Merchandisers, and J.B. Hunt Transport Services is resting at no. 3 in its industry for the 2022 World’s Most Admired Companies ranking. 
  • Achievements: This is the 6th consecutive year for Tyson Foods to hold the no. 1 spot in Food Production. J.B. Hunt has been recognized on the list 11 times in history. Walmart had the highest ranking of the Arkansas companies, coming in at no. 11 overall.

For Fortune’s full list, click HERE

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