Stephanie Jones has found her comfort zone.
“It is definitely not overwhelming,” Jones said. “It feels comfortable to me because I have done this before. I just feel like we are going in the right direction for the city and for the people of the community.
“[The River Center] provides a lot to our patrons.”
On June 26, Jones was promoted to assistant parks director for the city of Benton.
“It is not so much overwhelming because I have worked for different municipalities in the past and in recreational facilities,” Jones said. “This is what I’m used to.
“It is definitely my comfort zone and what I like to do.”
Jones has served since 2014 as the recreation supervisor, a job in which she designed and oversaw all recreational activities and programs for the city.
“I am pleased that Stephanie Jones has accepted the position of assistant parks director …,” Benton Mayor David Mattingly said in a statement. “I believe she is up to the challenge. and I know you will all join me in wishing her well.”
Jones previously worked for the city of Bryant as its parks programmer.
“I was a programmer for the city of Bryant for two years, similar to stuff that I do here,” Jones said. “When I was in Bryant, I was on-site for all of the youth and adult programs.”
She said her role as assistant parks director currently encompasses the entire department as she oversees all employees, recreation programs, fitness classes, aquatics and the general facility.
“It is familiar to me; I’m used to it,” she said. “I think I have had great supervisors in the past. I have learned from great leaders and had great mentors.
“This is what helped me step into this role.”
She also worked at the Dunn Student Recreation Center on the campus of Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, where she received her bachelor’s degree in recreation and her master’s degree in sports administration in 2012.
“I just stepped into a different role,” Jones said. “I feel like those people before me, and who I have worked with, really helped to train me to the role I was striving for.”
Originally from Chico, California, Jones moved to Arkadelphia after receiving a scholarship to play volleyball for the Henderson Reddies for two seasons.
“[It was] obviously a blessing to be able to afford school,” Jones said. “This job was kind of a match for me, and I met my husband in college, so we just stayed here.”
John Eckart, former parks director for the city of Benton, left to take the same position in Little Rock. His job has not been filled.
“She is very deserving and works hard,” Eckart said of Jones. “She brought a lot of good programs and a lot of good things to the Parks and Rec Department.
“She deeply cares about what she does and how she treats people and what she does for the community.”
Jones said the parks director position has not yet been
advertised, as the city is waiting for the right fit.
“It is a big role to fill,” she said. “When they do open it up, they want to have qualified candidates to take on the leadership role and the parks department.”
Jones was instrumental in starting Discovery in the Park, which took place July 8 at Tyndall Park for the third straight year.
“She’s really taken on building special events,” Eckart said.
Jones said even though she grew up in a sports-oriented family, having traveled for volleyball, basketball and softball, it is important to her to also have programs that incorporate everyone.
“We want different things you can bring your whole family to,” Jones said. “We did an art class and a gardening class — things that are inclusive for the whole family to enjoy and not necessarily sports.
“Not everyone loves athletics.”
Eckart originally hired Jones for her previous position. He said it was her confidence that stood out.
“I had known her while she was working at Bryant,” he said. “Our paths had crossed numerous times, and I was impressed with her confidence and with her ability to create things.
“She did a great job in Bryant, and I thought it would translate well for us as well.”
Riverside Park officially opened April 1 of this year, and the River Center features an aquatic center, four basketball courts, an indoor track and an aerobics room.
“With us being a new facility, we are still getting our bearings this first year,” Jones said. “We want to work on expanding our programs and maintaining the quality of programs that we have already implemented.
“It is important to me to be an advocate for people in the community. There are a few projects that I would like to do.”
She said the city of Benton is growing so much, and the community is just booming.
“There are a lot of businesses coming in because of this facility,” Jones said. “So maintaining what we have and being able to provide quality services to our patrons is my biggest thing, biggest goal.”
Eckart said Jones has a great understanding of what the community needs and wants.
“She knows how to provide the devices Parks and Recreation is supposed to provide,” he said. “She truly cares, and those factors will definitely be instrumental in her success.”
Jones said her place in the community may have given her the edge in getting the new
position.
“I think just being here the past couple of years and my knowledge of the facility [has helped],” she said, “being here since it was built from the ground up.
“I think I am rather well-connected to the community, and I know a lot of people.”
She said being in a leadership role and being able to interact with a staff that was already comfortable with her may have helped as well.
“The biggest thing in being a leader is that your staff can trust you and know that you are going to take care of things,” Jones said. “I think that is one thing we pride ourselves on in Benton — we take care of our employees.”
Eckart agreed.
“She also works well with everybody,” he said. “She is a team player. I know that is cliche, but she truly is a team player.”
Staff writer Sam Pierce can be reached at (501) 244-4314 or spierce@arkansasonline.com.