Julius Breckling Riverfront Park
Located on LaHarpe Boulevard, Riverfront Park stretches eleven blocks on the south bank of the Arkansas River in downtown Little Rock. Riverfront Park provides large areas for outdoor events, leisure activities and a glimpse of the state's history. The Belvedere Pavilion and the Sunken Patio area are available for rental. It's also home to many exciting concerts at the Riverfest Amphitheatre. Riverfront Park is also home to 10 beautiful sculptures along the Sculptural Promenade (click here for a map). Peabody Park, the most recent addition to Riverfront Park, is an adventure playground like no other. Click here to read an essay about Peabody Park written by Dr. Dean Kumpuris.
For rental information, please contact Kitty Lane.
Click here for map of Riverfront Park.
Riverfest Amphitheatre
The seven and one half acre site was originally designed and built, in 1987, as a multi-use stage and amphitheatre and held its' first "for-pay" event in 1989. Due to the popularity and success of the venue, it was clear that some refinement would be required in order to serve citizens and performers more effectively and safely. Consequently, in 1994 a planning process began that has evolved to include 1,375 reserved seats and 9,125 lawn seats, permanent restrooms, dressing rooms for entertainers, and enhanced walkways. The Riverfest Amphitheatre is the site of many of Little Rock's concerts. Because of the facility fee that was added to each ticket, several improvements have been made which include: 1,375 fixed seats, strengthening of the roof structure, additional concrete pads for vending locations, and re-configuration of the VIP fence.
Click here to download the permit for renting the Riverfest Amphitheatre Stage.
History Pavilion
The city skyline visible from this park makes it difficult to imagine the area as it appeared to early explorers. Today we can only know it through their drawings and maps, their descriptions of geographic characteristics and the natural landmarks they noted. The History Pavilion takes you on a trip back in time. Read about the history of Little Rock and the state of Arkansas in this great exhibit.
The Indian Head was placed in it's new home in the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park in September. The Indian Head was carved by Peter Toth in 1975. This statue was about the twenty-fifth of sixty Native American likenesses that he carved in all 50 states. The statues were gifts as a tribute to Native Americans. The statue, originally placed in McArthur Park west of the Arts Center was removed for gallery expansion and was stored at the Parks Landscape warehouse for four years. Due to extensive interior rot it became an Eagle Scout Project in which all rotten wood was removed from the inside and the exterior was treated with a high tech preservative chemicals donated by Pat Young of Ozark Mt. Wood Products. Special thanks to Asher & Landscape Maintenance and Public Works Operations for their assistance in this project. The History Pavilion can be rented for $100.00.
Click here to download the permit for renting the History Pavilion.
Le Petit Roche
This rock outcrop known to explorers as the "Little Rock" to distiguish it from the "Big Rock" upstream is one of the most important landmarks in Arkansas. Early travelers on their way up the river noticed that this rock marked the transition from the alluvial lands of the East to the rugged hills of the Ozarks and Ouachitas. The rock afforded a natural landing for boats. Travelers along the Southwest Trail which passed through Arkansas from the Northeast to Southwest crossed the river at or near this "Point of Rocks."
Ozark Pavilion
This beautiful pavilion located inside Peabody Park, the new adventure playground, is quickly becoming a favorite spot for birthday parties. The Ozark Pavilion has a capacity of 100.
Reservations
10am-Noon: $200.00*
1pm-3pm: $200.00*
4pm-11pm: $400.00*
*$100.00 refundable clean up deposit is required for all reservations.
Click here to download the permit for renting the Ozark Pavilion.
Riverfront Park Belvedere
In 1986, the Belvedere in Riverfront Park was constructed north of what was then the Excelsior Hotel. It was built in commemoration of the sesquicentennial of Arkansas' statehood. This small, concrete gazebo-like structure serves as a performance space for all kinds of instrumental music. Though originally programmed by the City of Little Rock with more classical and traditional instrumental music groups, recent years have seen it as a favorite spot for garage bands and local musicians seeking an outdoor performance space. It can be rented for $200.00.
Click here to download the permit for renting the Belvedere.
"Forever a Rose" Garden
"Forever A Rose" by Denny Haskew was originally done as a maquette (study). This sculpture done in an edition of 20 at 14.5"H 12"W 7"D was an immediate success and the edition sold out quickly to some of this countries prestige collectors.
When Denny created the piece, he wrote a poem to go with it:
A shadow passes by.
Branches and leaves quiver, slightly.
Quickly I turn my head searching.
Longing for just one more touch.
My memory of you, Forever A Rose.
Symbolically, roses are a symbol of love and, more strongly still, of the offerings made by a love which was pure. In beauty, shape and scent, the rose is outstanding and hence as become the most commonly used floral symbol in the West. Roses symbolize the chalice of life, the soul, the heart and love.
The Forever-a-Rose Garden is currently unavailable for special event rentals.
Sunken Plaza
This wonderful area behind the Peabody at the West end of Riverfront Park is a great place to hold an event or just eat lunch. Enjoy the soothing sounds of the fountain while playing checkers at one of checkerboard tables. This area also offers a scenic view of the Arkansas River and the North Shore River Walk. Time spent in Riverfront Park West is especially enjoyable when the Crepe Myrtle's are in bloom, July-September.
Amenities include water, electricity, limited permanent picnic tables, plenty of parking and a great view. Plenty of electricity for bands and you can even set up a tent. Any type of event can happen here from cocktail parties to barbeques. Riverfront Park West has been host to Riverfest, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Youth Assembly and many more. Rental price is $200.00.
Click here to download the permit for renting the Sunken Plaza.
