You Can Help
Bring War Memorial Park
Back to Life.
Now!
War Memorial Park is a citizen-owned, centrally located, public park.
The 120+ acres were first created by the City of Little Rock in 1924 as Fair Park and then re-dedicated in 1949 by President Truman as War Memorial Park. It stands today in honor of all military veterans.
However, the municipal golf course was closed in 2019, and what remains is a stagnant green space, a fishing pond filling with sediment, neglected trails, a single pavilion, and a small playground unavailable to children with physical disabilities.
The facts are, War Memorial Park includes the location and size to a Little Rock "central park" of newly renovated green spaces and trails, new pavilions, a safe playground and youth programs accessible to all children, larger fishing pond, sports practice facilities, and the groundwork to connect individuals and families from throughout the city.
A 2020 strategic plan developed by the city envisioned "vibrant park spaces" encouraging healthy lifestyles by providing new recreation opportunities.
But when it comes to War Memorial Park, nothing has been done.
A new War Memorial Park redevelopment plan could fulfill the park system’s 2020 vision. And more. With your help it can happen. Now!
How can you help?
What can be done?
The City of Little Rock made two attempts in 2021 and 2024 to increase taxes to fund a long list of new projects and programs. Both efforts failed to receive voter approval. Why? Some believed the plans to raise taxes were too confusing. Others deemed them to ambitious. And still others thought they would cost too much.
Whatever the reason, doesn't it make more sense to propose a limited, pay-as-you go plan improving what already exists, rather than proposing a permanent tax increase for new projects and programs?
The War Memorial Park plan would be funded by a limited, three-year, ½-¢ sales tax, without raising taxes on food, medicine, or gasoline. The revenue from the three-year plan would be dedicated solely to War Memorial Park and Little Rock's existing parks system.
Instead of waiting on city government, voters could propose a pay-as-you-go plan through a local petition drive. With a petition drive, voters would be in charge of placing the ordinance on the ballot and providing the stewardship to get the job done. And we can start now!
Want to see the plan?
Take a look at the concepts, future layout, and the three-phase plan for redeveloping War Memorial Park. You can view these online or download them.
And you can make comments and suggestions here.
Here's How You Can Help Put the Plan Up for a Vote
Through a local petition drive, Little Rock voters can be the voice of the City by proposing an ordinance for a ½-¢ sales tax limited to three-years without raising taxes on food, medicine, or gasoline.
Volunteers would need to gather a minimum of 9,500 Little Rock registered voters' signatures between now and next January. (The stretch goal would be 15,000 signatures to meet the 9,500-requirement, due to some signatures being unverifiable.)
No experience is needed to volunteer and you won't have to "knock on doors.)
The following would be provided to volunteers making it simple and easy to gather voter signatures.
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Volunteers will attend brief training sessions;
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Signatures will be gathered using signing stations at public events where large numbers of Little Rock citizens should be in attendance;
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Tents, banners, tables, chairs, and all necessary petitions, pens, instructions, and informational hand-outs will be provided;
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Scripts will be provided so volunteers can briefly state what the petition is about and why voters should consider signing up; and
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Two-person-volunteer teams, plus a coordinator will attend all signing events