Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. was joined on Tuesday by the Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation to dedicate a recently completed public-private partnership that provides access and a quality of life enhancement to Allsopp Park through the new Michael Lasiter Gateway named in honor of the late Michael Lasiter who’s friends supported this effort to name in his honor commemorating a life well lived.

The project allows people to access Allsopp Park by foot or bike and makes Allsopp the first City park to have a portion of trail completed by mountain-bike-trail experts. The vision for the Gateway was a product of Little Rock native Brendan Quirk, CEO of Allied Cycle Works, who pursued his idea for reshaping an underutilized park space to an inviting and aesthetic access point with amenities to serve users. Little Rock Parks Director John Eckart and team worked with Quirk to develop a plan that worked with the neighborhood and city.

“Public-Private partnerships are critical to the city’s success,” Mayor Scott said. “As the City’s Chief Growth Officer, I couldn’t be more excited about how our residents came together to bring new ideas to an old space to improve the quality of life for all who want to use it.”

The Arkansas Parks & Recreation Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, began its participating role in the fall of 2018 as a funding and coordinating partner to help bring Quirk’s vision to reality. Working together with area donors, neighborhood residents, and a passionate group of friends of Michael Lasiter, the vision is now a reality.

Suzanne Grobmyer, Executive Director Arkansas Parks & Recreation Foundation said the project was a labor of love.

“Our Foundation’s vision is to inspire outdoor exploration through innovative and exceptional recreation experiences that foster a healthier and more vibrant state. The Michael Lasiter Gateway does just that: it reinvents a previously underutilized area and creates a launchpad for exploration and adventure for all ages.”