From left: Chris East, Vincent Hunter, Mayor Frank Scott Jr.,, Kareem Moody, Leland Couch Brian Chilson

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr., Parks and Recreation director Leland Couch, local activist Kareem Moody and architect Chris East spoke today at the groundbreaking ceremony at Kanis Park beneath the Interstate 630 overpass to celebrate the new $1.5 million project to rebuild the basketball courts that were torn down in 2018 during the construction and expansion of the interstate.

Brian Chilson
Knox Simpson dunks on an inflatable goal with brother Finley Simpson.

Couch said that several parks projects and grants along with volunteer maintenance have made the park what it is today. He mentioned a $150,000 grant from Coca-Cola that helped revitalize the skate park in 2015 and the growing pickle ball community that helped raise money for lighting in the park. There were people there playing pickle ball on the tennis courts as the ceremony was underway.

Advertisement

Brian Chilson

Architect Chris East from Cromwell Architects and Engineers said that the new 3 1/2 basketball courts will have lighting, seating and backstop fencing. A new low water bridge will be built for better access to the park. This is necessary. It was hard to avoid mud at the end of the bridge leading the groundbreaking ceremony. East said the design will also improve the trail system accessibility for runners and bikers and connect to the larger city-wide trail system. It will also reduce surface level storm water and prevent ecological damage and restore the natural character of the park.

Advertisement

Kareem Moody, longtime community advocate for at-risk youth and father of former Razorback guard and current member of the NBA’s 2022 championship winning Golden State Warriors, Moses Moody, spoke in son’s absence. He said Moses was unable to attend due to flight delays and cancellations.

The Little Rock City Board approved the $1.5 million project in April.

Advertisement

I didn’t have a proper microphone to patch into the microphone system the speakers were using (like the ones the TV networks use), and I couldn’t hear very well over the highway traffic, so here’s part of a statement Scott issued in April: “These historic courts are woven into the fabric of the neighborhood and really the entire city. Rebuilding them has always been part of the plan, so I’m grateful to the board for approving the necessary funding resolution so that the city can contract to get them rebuilt.”

Scott broke ground with East, Couch, Moody and former Razorback center Vincent Hunter.

Advertisement

Spencer Watson, communication and marketing director of the City of Little Rock, said the courts should take a couple of months to complete, but might not be immediately accessible because the larger project includes the low water bridge and path improvements. “All told,” Watson said, “I think the timeline is six to eight months assuming there’s no major weather delays.”

Advertisement

 

Be a Part of the Fight

Step up and make a difference by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, the progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock that's been fighting for truth for 50 years. Our tough, determined, and feisty journalism has earned us over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, all of whom value our commitment to holding the powerful accountable. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Join us in the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article COVID today: Hospital number keeps climbing Next article Today’s news roundup and the open line