Steele-Stevens Heritage Park

County: Washington

Size: 1 Acre

Date Conserved: 2015

The namesake spring of Elm Springs has been permanently protected through a conservation easement that will allow for public access to one of the most historic pieces of land in the city. Landowners Gene and Glenda Stevens donated the easement to the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust. Preservation of the property as public space is a dream shared by Glenda Stevens. The property has been in her family, the Steele Family, for over 100 years.

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The approximately one-acre site that surrounds the spring has become Steele-Stevens Heritage Park. This project helps preserve the heritage of Elm Springs, protects water quality, and provides a scenic park accessible to the people of Elm Springs.

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Steele-Stevens Heritage Park received the highest conservation priority ranking possible under the Northwest Arkansas Open Space Plan due to its combination of historic and ecological significance. The land and spring have a rich history as a Native American site, a civil war training ground, a trout farm and more. As the Steele-Stevens Heritage Park, it will be used to educate present and future generations about the story of Elm Springs.