NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Wednesday, the city of North Little Rock approved a $3.1 million dollar construction plan for Burns Park's Funland. North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick explained that it's the final step to rebuilding the park after the tornado in March tore it apart.
"We're going to have a splash pad which is new. And as you can see this is pour in play, then we've got the train that will still be running," Mayor Hartwick said, "This is the biggest nicest one they're gonna have."
The city is especially excited about the new build after the last Funland renovations were destroyed when they opened the day before an EF-3 tornado hit in March.
Recalling that day Hartwick said, "I was on a ride about right there that said twister, well we don't know where the twister is."
Almost nine months after the storm, the city board met to vote on a new $3.1 million dollar Funland. Due to storm damage, the city expects about half the cost to be covered by FEMA and insurance funds.
Hartwick said his big push for the new Funland is for a new focus on playground equipment for kids of all abilities. He explained that as a former parks director, he's seen the impact inclusive equipment can have on the community in previous builds.
"I won't ever build another park without having a lot of it be all-inclusive," Hartwick said.
For folks who grew up at Funland, some of the crowd favorites will still be nearby— including the rocket slide.
"The rocket slide made it, so you can't ask for anything more really," Hartwick said, "To see where we've come and how far we've come, and even the thought process behind this. You can see the difference."
The park is scheduled to open by July 4, 2024.