Friday, January 23, 2015

Emerald Park / Big Rock Quarry / Burns Park News

Updated 1/27/15: Added map provided by NLR Parks.

Yesterday, I read some interesting news about a land deal that was recently approved by the National Park Service. With the few details in that document, I was a bit worried about the idea of converting 73 acres of Burns Park into commercial property in exchange for adding ~50 acres of Big Rock Quarry to the park system, but I called North Little Rock Parks and got some details about the deal.

First, if it seems odd that the National Park Service was involved in approving this deal, that is the result of Burns Park having received federal funding in the past.

Second, the land Burns Park is losing, is shown on the map below as the yellow bed. Located on the south side of Charles Boyer Dr. and the east side of the interstate, the land isn't well connected to the rest of the park and is currently unused. Plans call for part of the land to be used for a lodge.

Finally, it is great news that Big Rock Quarry is becoming park land officially. People have enjoyed this scenic area for a long time and it was recently threatened with private development.

I've got photos and other information on the Emerald Park, Big Rock Quarry area at the links below and in the book Trails of Central Arkansas:
http://trailsofarkansas.blogspot.com/2012/03/waterfalls-of-little-rock.html
http://trailsofarkansas.blogspot.com/2012/08/emerald-park-and-river-trail-news.html

More information:
http://www.northlr.org/userfiles/Servers/Server_63092/file/City%20Clerk/Council%20Agendas/1-26-15/Comm%20%231.pdf

http://www.katv.com/story/23808526/mayor-seeks-to-build-lodge-at-burns-park







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