Souvenir bricks from Fort Smith's iconic Creekmore Park Pool Bathhouse available

Staff reports
·2 min read
The iconic Creekmore Park Pool bathhouse built in 1948 has been torn down and work is underway to build a new one. This photo was taken by the Fort Smith Parks and Recreation Department with a drone.
The iconic Creekmore Park Pool bathhouse built in 1948 has been torn down and work is underway to build a new one. This photo was taken by the Fort Smith Parks and Recreation Department with a drone.

Fort Smith’s iconic park, with a miniature train and a large community pool, is undergoing changes.

The bathhouse built in the late 1940s has been torn down and a new one is being constructed.

The train rides have been a staple of the park, offered at Christmas time and during the warm months. Generations of people have made memories at the park on Rogers Avenue with decades-old trees, and newly installed all-inclusive playground equipment.

A decorative tunnel is being built for the train. Rides will continue after the construction.

Meanwhile, those who want a souvenir can get a brick. The park is located at 3301 S. M St., near Rogers Avenue and Greenwood Avenue.

The iconic Creekmore Park Pool bathhouse built in 1948 has been torn down and work is underway to build a new one. This photo was taken by the Fort Smith Parks and Recreation Department with a drone.
The iconic Creekmore Park Pool bathhouse built in 1948 has been torn down and work is underway to build a new one. This photo was taken by the Fort Smith Parks and Recreation Department with a drone.

The City of Fort Smith Parks and Recreation Department has additional bricks from the 1948 Creekmore Park Pool Bathhouse that have been made available to the public.

The bricks are located on the blue tarp to the west of the former bathhouse.

The work at the park is being made with voter-approved funds for park improvements. The opening of the Creekmore Park pool this year will be delayed a week. It will open June 1 with a limited capacity during the construction work of the new bathhouse.

How to get a commemorative brick

The parks department has released the following guidelines for retrieving a brick:

  • Bricks may only be retrieved from the designated public access site. This is the only place citizens are permitted to retrieve a brick. Please do not enter the construction zone.

  • Bricks will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Individuals wanting a brick must physically retrieve a brick from the designated site. The city will not accept requests to reserve a brick.

  • The bricks have been taken directly from the bathhouse and will have mortar on them. Citizens are responsible for removing the mortar if desired.

  • Bricks will be made available beginning Friday, April 12. These will remain available through April 25 or until the supply runs out, the City of Fort Smith Parks Department reports.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Fort Smith's Creekmore Park Pool Bathhouse is being replaced