Arizona Community Opens New Park with Freeport’s Help

October 13, 2025 - Where grass once grew, Freeport now is helping community engagement and childhood curiosity take root.

This summer, Clarkdale, Arizona, cut the ribbon on a new education-focused park thanks to funding provided by government grants and community partners like Freeport. Officially opened to the public in late August, the Selna-Mongini STEAM Park is a public space that incorporates themes of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics – the five pillars represented by the STEAM acryonym.

That STEAM theme includes not only regular park amenities – such as a playground and basketball court – but also education zones, bike repair stations, a lending library, art installations and more. The park also features a pollinator garden, solar-powered and Wi-Fi-equipped seating, gray water systems, water-permeable pavers and other environmentally friendly design elements.

The project didn’t start out that way, said Michael Steward, Manager-Remediation Projects.

Freeport’s involvement preceded the park, as the site originally was part of a voluntary soil remediation project from a historic smelter the company assumed responsibility for in a merger almost two decades ago. However, when Clarkdale came to Freeport with plans to utilize the space for public benefit, the company agreed to help.

By offering a like-for-like replacement in the landscaping of the new park and a rainwater collection system, the county was able to count the in-kind contribution with donations from other local partners. Thanks to matching grants from both the state and federal government, over $3 million was raised for the construction of the Selna-Mongini STEAM Park.

For Steward, the completed park shows what’s possible when communities and companies come together with a shared vision for having lasting impact.

“This is an example of corporate citizenship at work,” Steward said. “The Selna-Mongini STEAM Park stands as a testament to Freeport’s belief that our commitment to the communities where we used to operate is every bit as important as the communities where we still do. Rather than just recognizing the past, we’re quite literally helping build a better tomorrow.”

Photos (top to bottom): In addition to like-for-like landscaping contributions, Freeport also donated a rainwater collection system to the park.; The park incorporates an environmentally friendly design with attractions themed around science, technology, engineering, arts and math.