When many of us think of “home” we not only think of the walls in which we reside, but also the greater community that we call our own. The City of Rogers, which incorporated in 1881, has experienced the same explosive growth in population as the rest of Northwest Arkansas, meaning city officials have had to work to provide amenities and services that help everyone in the community feel like Rogers is “home.”
Kinya Christian, arts and cultural manager for the City of Rogers, says the number one factor city officials consider when planning community spaces is accessibility.
“Our spaces are community driven in the respect that they are reflective of the community,” she says. “The city is committed to providing community spaces that are available to all.”
She says this accessibility includes keeping activities open for people of all socio economic backgrounds, offering many free community events, and attempting to keep the paid attractions at affordable rates.
One of the main areas that the city has supported the community, Kinya says, is through its arts and culture offerings. The city has curated several spaces to enjoy the visual and performing arts, including the Railyard Park outdoor performance space in downtown that is home to the popular Railyard Live series held in the summer.
The city also operates The Victory Theater, a nearly 100-year-old space that is currently undergoing renovations because of damage incurred in the May 2024 tornado. Scheduled to be reopened this May, the space has been redesigned so it can once again be a home to music, culture, and theater.
The Victory is home to Arkansas Public Theatre, a community group that has been bringing live theater to the area for nearly 40 years. APT is planning to return to the stage within a few months of The Victory’s opening, and is planning a six-show season for the upcoming year.
Along with live theater, The Victory will also host as many as five film festivals this upcoming year, including the Rogers Short Film Festival.
The venue is also looking to bring regional, national, and touring music acts to the stage.
Along with The Victory, the city also uses the Events Prairie View Center at Mt. Hebron Park for cultural events.
The city also has a vibrant visual arts scene, being home to many public murals, galleries, and art installations. Downtown Rogers also hosts the monthly Art on the Bricks, highlighting the work of local artists.
“These spaces embrace the artistic expression of local artists through multidisciplinary means such as film, music, visual arts, and performing arts,” Kinya says. “And the city is intentional about how we tie these into all the experiences we offer.”
Along with arts and cultural spaces, the city has developed outdoor recreation areas for all ages to enjoy.
The Parks and Recreation Department oversees more than 660 acres of land, containing 20 parks and over 70 miles of tail systems, including connections to the Razorback Greenway.
Many of the parks offer not only a place for kids to play and adults to enjoy recreation, but also a place for outdoor fairs, community events, and other public gatherings.
Popular outdoor spaces include Railyard Plaza, The Railyard Bike Park, Lake Atalanta, the Rogers Aquatic Center, and the Rogers Skate and Splash Park. One of the largest and oldest parks in Rogers is Northwest Park. The park had just completed major renovations before being damaged by the 2024 tornado. Scheduled to reopen in May, the park will once again serve as a key community hub for youth sports. Featuring eight renovated fields, new turf, lighting, concessions, and a playground, the park will also have amenities like pavilions, walking trails, and restrooms.
Other popular community spaces that help Rogers feel like home are the farmer’s markets held spring through fall downtown on Saturdays and Mount Hebron on Wednesdays.
The Rogers Public Library, which is scheduled to complete tornado renovations and re-open this spring, is another vital community space offering classes and meeting spaces. The Rogers Activity Center and the Rogers Wellness Center for seniors also play a major role in the health and vitality of the community.
With so many new residents joining those who have lived in the community for years or even decades, the city is always open to suggestions about what other amenities and spaces could make Rogers feel like “home.”
"The city is committed to providing community spaces that are available to all."
"These spaces embrace the artistic expression of local artists through multidisciplinary means ... and the city is intentional about how we tie these into all the experiences we offer."