Hot Springs Memorial Field will soon replace certain trees at Family Park with smaller fruit-bearing trees or bushes in order to meet Federal Aviation Administration height requirements and to provide greater safety to the flying public.
Due to their proximity to the airport’s Runway 13, the trees along Airport Road and on the park’s west hillside that exceed the allowable height will be replaced with trees or bushes that bear edible fruit. Allen Bates, the city’s urban forester, is advising the airport on appropriate plantings.
The airport is also working with landowners near the park that have trees exceeding FAA height limits.