LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Jan. 30, 2015) – Little Rock Parks and Recreation was awarded a $120,000 outdoor recreation grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism to construct restrooms, a bike repair station and a walkway near the base of the Big Dam Bridge at Murray Park.

The City of Little Rock, the Big Dam Bridge Foundation and Arvest Bank joined efforts to raise $120,000 in matching funding for the $240,000 project.  

The new area will be named the Arvest Pit Stop and will add amenities to this popular Little Rock location. Bikers, pedestrians and visitors in general will now be able to enjoy a more convenient and family-friendly experience.

Jim Cargill, president/sales manager at Arvest Bank, expressed their support of Little Rock’s parks. 

“Arvest Bank is committed to improving the communities we serve through the donation of our time and resources,” said Cargill. “As an Arkansas-based company, we understand the important role Little Rock parks play in the quality of life of our public. Being a community bank means being part of a society, and we are proud to support the improvement of our capital city.”

Mark Rogers, chairman of the Big Dam Bridge Foundation, explained the role that public/private efforts play in the improvement process of Little Rock’s parks system.

“The partnership between the City of Little Rock, the Big Dam Bridge Foundation and Arvest Bank validates the importance of collaboration between private and public entities,” said Rogers. “Because of this team effort, we will be able to add important features to this park earlier than we had originally planned. Having the support of a local business helped us achieve synergy between the private sector and city and state governments.”

The amenities planned at the base of the Big Dam Bridge at Murray Park are part of the City’s parks master plan.

“The Arvest Pit Stop is the first phase of the many upgrades we have planned for this pedestrian and bike-friendly area,” said Truman Tolefree, director of Little Rock Parks and Recreation. Our goal is to find more partners who will help us keep momentum on our planned improvements for our parks around the Big Dam Bridge and Two Rivers Park.”

The City of Little Rock expects to complete construction of the Arvest Pit Stop by early fall 2015.

About Little Rock Parks and Recreation
Little Rock Parks and Recreation oversees 60 developed parks and twelve undeveloped parks totaling over 6,100 acres.  In addition, Little Rock Parks & Recreation offers a wide-range of youth and adult recreational and sports leagues, after-school and summer playground programs for children ages 6-15, outdoor recreation, therapeutic recreation and programs for seniors.  Funds raised will continue to support parks and recreational programs for all ages. For more information about Little Rock Parks & Recreation visit www.lrpr.org.

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