530 Spring Street • Eureka Springs, AR • 479-239-4553
The compelling need for youth programs and services in Eureka Springs were increasingly evident in the pre-Eureka Kids days. Nearly one third of our tiny city’s population were under the age of 18, and although the youth population of Eureka Springs has dramatically grown over the last 10 years, services and programs for youth and families had not evolved.
Eureka Springs around the turn of the century. There were hardly any children in our population then, let alone youth programing.
Historic Harmon Park
For nearly 100 years Harmon Park has always been a fixture in the history of Eureka Springs. The park has seen it's good days, and it's bad. One thing for sure is it's best days are yet to come!
So much has been been done to improve Harmon Park since we first moved in! A modern playground, a world-class skate park, more landscaping, public restrooms and more!
Why we do what we do:
When the Boys & Girls Club of Eureka Springs abruptly closed it's doors in 2002, kids were left without options for viable recreational, educational and prevention programs in Eureka Springs. A small but determined group of community youth advocates sat down in the Police Station and dared to dream a solution. A program for the youth of our community dedicated to meeting the critical hours after school and on vacations with quality youth development programs was then born.
Our first year was hosted at the Eureka Springs Middle School, and we were afforded the tremendous opportunity to provide academic tutoring & enforceable homework time for those students who had been struggling to keep up with their grades. As the school year closed, we found measurable results with those students who have gone from grades they hide, to grades posted on the family refrigerator.
This achievement was accomplished not only through the facilities, time and hard work of these students, but also with the participation from parents, teachers and very importantly, the volunteer time of other students. Although we had made great strides within the School District, after one year we found ourselves having outgrown our home at Eureka Springs Middle School.
All of this fantastic growth led to The Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously voting to provide the bottom level of the community building at Harmon Park. That first summer our youth had access to our community in ways we could only hope for in our first year. The following year we consumed both floors and, though cooperation with the City of Eureka Springs, began managing the facility as a full-time community building. In addition, the Eureka Springs Transit Dept. now recognizes our Membership Cards as Trolley Passes, allowing our kids access to all of Eureka Springs and what it has to offer!
Our plan is simple. Young members of our community are able to engage in positive asset building programs during the critical non school hours in an environment of their own. We have worked to develop a sense of ownership and belonging in our youth. It is important that they feel ownership in this community we call home as well as the knowledge they have the competence to take action and effect change.
A major portion of our undertaken program is youth service and ownership. Our kids are responsible for the upkeep and design of our new space. They have cleaned up the Harmon Park property, including the playground area on which they have been so eager to play. Community donors and business owners have stepped up and provided materials and funding to renovate this space. Parents have volunteered their time and labor skills.
We are currently serving an average of 40 Eureka Kids daily With a total membership near 450. Our current growth rate will require us to seek more staff above the volunteer commitment each family makes. Our future goals are to remain in Harmon Park and solidify our position as the community hub for our youth. It is of vital importance to our community that the youth of Eureka Springs have a safe supportive environment in which to be themselves. This can only be done through involvement from the entire community & it's leaders.
