Little Rock Parks and Recreation continues to make strides in improving and expanding park facilities and trail systems throughout the city. In a conversation with Leland Couch, the city’s Parks Director, Little Rock Parks updates were discussed, highlighting significant progress and challenges in enhancing public spaces.
I-30 Crossing Park Master Plan Development
The city has engaged Sasaki Associates, the same design firm that recently worked with the Downtown Partnership to create a master plan for downtown Little Rock, along with several local sub-consultants, to develop a comprehensive master plan for future park improvements. Additionally, the Clinton Foundation has commissioned StudioMain to create a master plan, which could impact certain overlapping projects.
According to Director Couch, “I believe we’ll be able to hold a public input meeting in the next month or so, similar to the ones Sasaki conducted for the downtown master plan project.”
Reservoir Park Enhancements
After the March 2023 tornado destroyed the park, the city held public meetings to discuss possible plans for this park on Cantrell Road. Due to a lack of funds the parks department is moving slowly on rehabilitating the park. In a first move to bring the park back to life, a new playground and repaired roads are in the works at Reservoir Park, with Cromwell Architects Engineers selected to develop construction drawings. The proposal is expected to be presented to the city board in the coming weeks. Funding has been a persistent challenge, as previous projects have encountered financial setbacks, but the city remains committed to moving forward. (Link to our previous article on tornado damage to parks.)
Funding and Grant Applications
While no new grants are currently planned for certain park projects, the city has applied for a BUILD Grant in collaboration with the state and other partners to support the I-30 Crossing Project. If awarded, this grant could provide up to $25 million in funding. Additionally, the Rose Creek Initiative is working on an application for a trail improvement project, and the parks are looking for funding for tree replacements and carbon credit initiatives for War Memorial Park. The park system currently has approximately $13 million in bond funding remaining unallocated, and decisions on how to best utilize these funds are ongoing.
Trail System Expansion
Significant efforts are underway to expand the city’s trail network, including the Rock Creek Greenway and the Midline Beltline along Interstate 630. The focus has been on connecting Brodie Creek Park to Colonel Glenn Road, as this route has been deemed the most cost-effective. Western Hills Park has seen major developments, with a legacy grant funding a playground, restroom, pavilion, and a new paved trail system that will improve accessibility and parking access. The completion of this project is expected by late spring, pending weather conditions.
Hindman Park and Disc Golf Revitalization
Hindman Park is undergoing planning for improvements, including disc golf and mountain biking facilities. The city aims to complete the disc golf course and ensure the park’s trail network is fully developed.
Arkansas River Trail and Two Rivers Park Improvements
A longstanding challenge has been completing a crucial section of the Arkansas River Trail behind Dillard’s corporate headquarters. Despite decades of discussions, no agreement has been reached to allow public access through this area. Last year, the city presented five potential plans to Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas and is now preparing a presentation for Dillard’s.
Meanwhile, improvements to the Arkansas River Trail at Two Rivers Park are moving forward. Crews are currently adding a 3-foot shoulder along the trails in the park, followed by repaving the trail.
Looking Ahead
Little Rock Parks and Recreation remains proactive in securing funding and developing plans to enhance green spaces, improve accessibility, and expand the city’s trail system. While challenges exist, continued progress is being made, ensuring that Little Rock’s parks and recreational areas remain valuable assets for the community. The failure of the 1% tax initiative in November has certainly slowed down the execution of plans throughout the park system while shelving some of the larger projects.
Couch closed by saying, “I strongly believe in making progress to improve parks, even if we can’t meet every user request. Sometimes, it’s better to move forward with improvements rather than remain stagnant and accomplish nothing.”
