Craig and Laura Underwood, owners of Underwoods Fine Jewelers in Fayetteville, Arkansas, have donated 38 acres of land to the city to create Underwood Park, a new recreational space in an area that previously lacked public green areas. The donation directly addresses a long-standing gap in northwest Fayetteville where residents once relied on parks situated on the city’s east side.
From Golf Course to Green Space
The park now occupies the former site of the Razorback Park golf course, which closed permanently in 2015 after 57 years of operation. The couple purchased the 124-acre property—along with two additional adjacent tracts—over a three-year period, eventually setting aside a substantial portion for the city at no cost. The remaining land, including 20 acres leased at no cost, will support future expansions and help meet Fayetteville’s parkland dedication requirements as development moves southward.
Personal motivation played a key role in the decision. Craig recalled how his family spent countless happy hours at Gulley Park on Fayetteville’s east side while their children were growing up. “When the kids were growing up we loved going to Gulley Park on the east side of town,” he said. “So many incredible happy memories were made there. Fayetteville has many great parks, but the western part of the city is underserved when it comes to city parks.” The donation now ensures that northwest residents have a nearby park within walking or short-driving distance.
Fayetteville’s population has risen from 93,949 in 2020 to an estimated 106,623 in 2025, yet until now the city operated only four major parks. The new facility adds a fifth park, and the overall plan envisions 65 acres across multiple phases, creating a network of green space that can keep pace with rapid growth.
First Phase Funding and Amenities
The first phase, costing $3.6 million, was primarily funded by a 2019 Bond Initiative, with $3.4 million allocated from public funds. The park features basketball and tennis courts, playgrounds equipped with zip lines, covered pavilions, modern restrooms, and ample parking. The Underwoods also asked that the design incorporate elements reflecting their personal taste, such as custom artwork.
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Laura Underwood has long been involved in Fayetteville’s parks and recreation efforts, earning the 2018 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Arkansas Board of Park and Recreation. “The award was for the entire state of Arkansas,” Craig said. Her advocacy, combined with Craig’s leadership, helped steer the project through years of city-planning hurdles. The process included public meetings, environmental studies, and bid reviews, delays that stretched into the summer of 2016 when the golf course’s failed rezoning left the land overgrown and its value depressed.
Where others saw setbacks, the couple saw opportunity. By acquiring the land at a reduced price, they secured a site that could be transformed into a lasting community asset. The park’s design reflects both practical needs and artistic vision, featuring custom artwork. The next phase will expand the park’s footprint, adding more amenities while ensuring the land meets future growth demands.
Community Pushback and Approval Hurdles
The park’s creation required handling not just logistics but also public sentiment. Neighborhood groups had protested the original rezoning plan, and the lengthy approval process tested patience. By late 2016, the stalled development had left the former golf course in disrepair, a condition that worked in the couple’s favor. The land’s reduced value made the purchase feasible, setting the stage for what will become a significant contribution to urban recreation.
The park’s design incorporates the former golf-course cart paths as informal walking trails, preserving a link to its past use. In early November, Craig and Laura cut the ribbon, officially opening the green oasis to the public for community recreation.
Craig Underwood’s final Jewelers Mutual board meeting and subsequent Michigan tour
Craig Underwood spent many years on the board of Jewelers Mutual Group, a Wisconsin-based insurer. He rarely explored Neenah, the town where the group is headquartered, during his trips. In May 2025, he and his wife Laura attended his last board meeting, marking the end of his tenure.
