Peabody Park

Peabody Park is an extension of Julius Breckling Riverfront Park located behind the Peabody Hotel in downtown Little Rock. The park, formerly called Riverfront Park West, features a pavilion, climbing area, and spray fountain with waterfall. The park is inspired by Richard Louv's book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, which at-large City Director Dean Kumpuris had read.

The Peabody Hotel donated $250,000 for naming rights to the park. Arkansas Specialty Orthopedics contributed another $25,000. The total cost of the park, including labor contributed by Parks and Recreation Department employees, is about $2.2 million. The park is expected to open on Memorial Day weekend 2008.

References

• Brandon Tubbs, "Adventure Begins Soon at LR Park," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, February 21, 2008.