Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. announced a recent step forward for the 30 Crossing Park project Tuesday at a press conference: $30 million from Bezos Earth Fund’s Greening America’s Cities fund.
In late 2024, the new I-30 crossing was completed, leaving a large green space underneath the highway and leaving city leaders to decide what to do with it. Since then, a master plan for 30 Crossing Park has been created, and renderings of the park and surrounding area have been designed by Boston-based architecture firm Sasaki.
If the master plan is realized, 30 Crossing Park and the surrounding district will have a long list of new amenities and activities, which leaders hope will not only improve the lives of current Little Rock residents but also encourage visitors. Some highlights include multiple playgrounds, basketball courts, skate parks, an event pavilion, a climbing zone, a pier near the waterfront, a boat launch and many green spaces for native plants.
Rendering by Sasaki
The entire project could cost up to $128 million, according to Sasaki.
The $30 million from the Bezos Earth Fund will support the “initial implementation of the 30 Crossing Master Plan,” according to a city press release.
Jeff Bezos, who founded Amazon, created the Bezos Earth Fund in 2020 and pledged an initial $10 billion to address climate change.
Rendering by Sasaki
“This $30 million, transformational investment by Bezos Earth Fund will reconnect land, neighborhoods, trails, cultural destinations and people in a way that reflects who we are as Arkansas’ capital city,” Scott said. “A place where nature, opportunity, and community come together. Together, we are creating a destination that will unite our city, grow our economy and positively reshape the riverfront and Downtown for generations to come.”
In addition to the Mayor, many leaders and stakeholders were at the announcement, which took place in the green space at the corner of President Clinton Avenue and Collins Street. Guests included Bezos Earth Fund President and CEO Tom Taylor, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, U.S. Rep French Hill and Ruth Whitney, who is chair of the Little Rock Regional Chamber Board.
Photo by Alex Hardgrave
Little Rock was one of eight U.S. cities granted money by the Bezos Earth Fund. Overall, the fund gave $100 million as part of the initiative. Other cities that received money include Allentown, Pennsylvania.; Atlanta; Cleveland; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Salt Lake City; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
“At the Bezos Earth Fund, we want to make the planet a place people can and want to live, and that includes making sure people have green spaces woven into daily life — places to cool down and get shade, bring their families, or simply walk through on their commute,” Taylor said. “Those places shouldn’t be a luxury. Greening America’s Cities shows what’s possible when communities, local leaders and partners come together to transform overlooked spaces into something extraordinary.”
Photo by Alex Hardgrave
After the announcement, guests enjoyed food trucks, live music, yard games and booths featuring many local organizations, such as the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, the parks department, the Little Rock Zoo, the Historic Arkansas Museum and the Museum of Discovery.
There was also a mural being painted by local artist Emily Wood that anyone at the celebration could help paint.
During the event, people were also encouraged to put on VR headsets to take immersive tours of the planned park.
“Today, we are seeing that vision come to life,” Scott said. “We are grateful to the Bezos Earth Fund, the Little Rock Regional Chamber, ARDOT, the state of Arkansas, our congressional delegation, and every partner who helped move this vision forward.”
Renderings by Sasaki
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