Fayetteville to Open First Phase of Underwood Park
The city will hold a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on November 1, 2026, for the new public recreational facility.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Fayetteville will host a grand opening for the first phase of Underwood Park from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on November 1, 2026. The new park amenities are located on the former site of the Razorback Park golf course west of Dean Solomon Road.
Why it matters
The development represents a significant expansion of municipal green space partially funded by the 2019 Parks Bond. This project transforms former golf course land into a community area that will eventually grow as city development continues to the south.
The Underwood family donated 38 acres of land for the project, with an additional 20 acres leased to the city at no cost for trail usage. The site features infrastructure including entry drives, parking areas, and repurposed golf cart paths.
The players
Craig and Laura Underwood
They are the benefactors who donated 38 acres of land for the park site in 2019.
Fayetteville
The city government is managing the development and opening of the park project.
The details
The site features new amenities including a playground, pickleball courts, a basketball court, walking paths, restrooms, and pavilions. The project master plan was adopted in early 2024, followed by a groundbreaking ceremony in the fall of 2025.
Timeline
2019: Craig and Laura Underwood donated 38 acres of land for the park.
January 2024: The project master plan was formally adopted.
Fall 2025: The project groundbreaking ceremony took place.
November 1, 2026: Grand opening and ribbon cutting occur from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Market Landscape
This development follows the funding patterns established by the 2019 Parks Bond, which prioritizes the expansion of public recreational assets. It reflects a broader trend of repurposing defunct golf courses into accessible community infrastructure.
Residents can now utilize new facilities including pickleball courts, a basketball court, and walking paths. The park provides improved access to outdoor activities near the Clabber Creek area.
The takeaway
The transformation of former private golf land into public space highlights the value of private-public land partnerships for urban planning. Residents should note that the park currently features repurposed cart paths as trails as part of the initial phase.
What happens next
Additional land will be dedicated as city development progresses to the south.
Further reading
Find more details about local charitable projects on the Fayetteville Philanthropy page.
More information
View the Fayetteville city project information page for more details.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fayetteville Flyer.
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