LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Nearly one year later, the cleanup continues in the City of Little Rock as we approach the anniversary of the destructive tornado that hit the area on March 31, 2023.
Several neighborhoods, businesses, and parks were damaged in the EF-3 tornado and though the city has made some progress in rebuilding the impacted parks, there's still more to do.
"[On] March 31st, the tornado devastated this park," said Leland Couch, Little Rock Parks and Recreation Director.
When driving along Chenal Parkway, you can clearly see the damage that was done to Rock Creek Park, and the contractors who are in the process of cleaning it up.
"We worked directly with the USDA, to get a grant from them, [and are] very appreciative. That is roughly $900,000 and it took us roughly a year to get all the paperwork, contracts, and all that done. So we're out here now," Couch described.
Couch said it should take them about six weeks to clear out the debris and trees, but there's still more to do after that. He also said Rock Creek has roughly $1.5 million worth of damage.
"We'll hire other people, other subcontractors, as well as our city staff, who will be here to clean up the trail. There's many boardwalks and bridges on the trail that will need work on railings and rebuilding them," he explained.
Over at Reservoir Park, there's still a lot on the to-do list, and Couch said that the park had about two to three million dollars worth of damage.
"I have taken to the board a contract for a contractor to come in and rebuild the two things that we believe are worthy to rebuild. And that's the pavilion and the tennis courts," he described.
Additionally, he said they're working to rebuild the ball field, playground, disc golf course, and restroom. They will also need to redo the roads.
Murray Park was also damaged in the tornado, but it's back open again for people to enjoy.
"One exception was the fit lot. The fit lot is the recreation workout facility right there on the river trail. It received significant damage, but we were able to rebuild it. We have a contract now with a company to come in and rebuild it," he added.
While they continue to work on Rock Creek and Reservoir, he continues to ask for patience.
"I would have loved to have been able to get it open sooner and had a contractor out here doing what we're doing today, but working with the federal government and getting those dollars are really important," Couch said.
Rock Creek Park is currently closed to the public and even though Reservoir is technically open, Couch recommends staying out of it just as a safety precaution.
