Riverfront Park stretches for eleven blocks along the south bank of the Arkansas River in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. The 33-acre park preserves the natural beauty of the area but also contains a variety of landmarks that are all attractions in their own right. By incorporating so many different elements in the same space, Riverfront Park has fulfilled a vision around what it means to enable so many distinct experiences for both residents and visitors.
Julius Breckling Riverfront Park
The full name of Riverfront Park is Julius Breckling Riverfront Park and was named after Breckling who served as the Little Rock Parks & Recreation Director. He helped purchase the Riverfront Property in the late 1970’s and would define a vision for what would become Riverfront Park for the benefit of visitors and the entire city of Little Rock.
Some of this history is showcased in the History Pavilion, which outlines the history of Little Rock but also contains various other facts and information about the city and region. It is designed to take visitors back to a time before the land was settled. It also contains a statue that is a tribute to the original Native American inhabitants.
La Petit Roche Plaza and Junction Bridge are two of the more notable elements of Little Rock history, both of which can be accessed as part of Riverfront Park. La Petit Roche Plaza contains the actual “Little Rock” that gave the city its name, while Junction Bridge has been transformed from a railway into a walkway that for pedestrian and bicycle use. It links both sides of the Arkansas River Trail. Riverfront Park is also connected to the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden, which has become the largest public sculpture garden in the state of Arkansas.
The Peabody Adventure Park has climbing rocks and splash pad while the Margret Park Adventure Park was developed specifically for toddlers. The Medical Mile, William E. “Bill” Clark Presidential Park Wetlands, Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center and the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge are also accessible as part of Riverfront Park.
All of these landmarks are distinct but can be explored separately or as part of a single experience in Riverfront Park. The seamless way in which these landmarks blend together and with the natural surroundings of the Arkansas River has enabled incredible benefits for the entire Little Rock community.
Recreational, Educational, Ecological and Aesthetic Benefits
Riverfront Park was designed to be a space that would enable recreational, educational, ecological and aesthetic benefits for the people who live and visit Little Rock. It has features that are specific to all of these elements, further connecting the community to the park and allowing visitors to have unique experiences all across the space.
Belvedere Pavilion serves as a performance area for all kinds of instrumental music but is also available to rent. The History Pavilion includes a Civil War Marker at the location where the Union Army entered Little Rock to successfully captured the Confederate-held city in September 1863. In receiving accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, the park has met standards that are associated with protecting open space, connecting people to nature, and engaging communities in conservation practices.
Countless aesthetic benefits can be seen across every element of Riverfront Park, both individually and collectively. This integration has further enabled the creation of spaces like Rotary 99 Centennial Plaza and the Ozark Pavilion, both of which allow members of the community to formally and informally gather while experiencing the rest of Riverfront Park.
Featured in guides and maps of the city while also being highlighted as one of the top things to do in Little Rock, Riverfront Park has become a place to explore, relax and experience for visitors of all ages. By becoming an attraction for the entire region, Riverfront Park has fulfilled the vision Julius Breckling had for what was previously an underused area of the Arkansas River. That evolution of the space and community continues to have a positive impact that can be seen all across Little Rock.
A Source of Little Rock Pride
Mentioned as one of the best public parks in the country, Riverfront Park has established itself as a destination for visitors and a source of pride for residents. In doing so, it both celebrates and builds on a legacy that will continue to define the present and future of Little Rock.
