Memphis, Tennessee to North Little Rock, Arkansas – 8 March 2024
We spent a couple of days in Little Rock – the capital of Arkansas, in an RV park situated downtown beneath the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge, right on the Arkansas river. In the opposite direction were a couple of other vehicle bridges but in spite of that, the traffic noise did not bother us at night.
The Rock Island bridge built in 1899 and formerly used by the Choctaw and Memphis railroad, was converted for pedestrian (walkway/bikeway) use in 2011 to complement the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park. The bridge serves as a visual representation of President Bill Clinton’s “Bridge to the 21st Century.” The mid span deck of the bridge is permanently raised to allow water traffic to pass under. To do this, the pedestrian approaches had to be angled up and supported in the cross trusses of the fixed sections, in order to take advantage of the raised deck of the open section. At the request of Clinton, specially designed aluminum flower beds with bright flowers line the railings on either side. Funds to renovate the bridge came from various sources including 4,000 private donors whose names are inscribed on the bridge.
The first evening in Arkansas, we walked over the bridge to the Clinton Presidential Park. The park has the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum – a very impressive looking building. Unfortunately we did not have time to visit the Library but we did enjoy a walk in the grounds. This is where we came across a collection of 26 colourfully painted globes. Called “Cool Globes,” this public art exhibition is designed to raise awareness and present solutions to climate change and make it clear…we can solve this. The exhibit was erected as a Commitment to Action during the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in 2005 and has been on display in many cities across the US and around the world. The globes all had different themes like recycling, sharing a ride, sustainability, using your voice to prevent climate change, planting a tree, consuming less energy, being mindful of one’s impact on the planet, working as a team to protect the planet, reducing one’s own foodprint by buying local, reducing meat and dairy, limiting food waste etc. Very thought provoking.
The next day we once again walked across the bridge and continued on to downtown Little Rock. Arkansas sits on the banks of the Arkansas River and Little Rock, the capital, sits in the center of the State. Hillary and Bill Clinton lived in Little Rock while he was Attorney general of Arkansas from 1977 to 1979. This is where their daughter Chelsea was born. He then served as Arkansas governor before delivering his acceptance speech for President here in 1992 and 1996. In addition to the Clinton Presidential Library, the Park and Bridge, there is the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. This is the first graduate school in the nation to offer a Master of Public Service degree.
We saw a number of beautiful old buildings downtown as well as a River Walk, Museums, and an active Riverside Market. There was also the impressive Veterans bridge which is one of 6 bridges, connecting Little Rock and North Little Rock. The bridge is dedicated to American Veterans of all wars.
On our way back to the RV we came across a little oasis. Called the H.U. Lee International Gate & Garden, this memorial garden honours Eternal Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee who followed his dream in 1977 and created a fellowship of martial artists that grew into the largest martial arts organization in the world, the American Taekwondo Association (ATA.) ATA is located in Little Rock and supports more than 1,200 schools in 20 countries and six continents worldwide. Unfortunately he lost his life to cancer in October 2000 but his legacy lives on providing a positive influence to millions of people worldwide.
At the entrance to the garden is an absolutely stunning South Korean gate and several statues. A small reflective pool with a fountain stands in the centre of the garden with stone benches where you can sit, take a breath and gaze upon a statue of Haeng Ung Lee.
Aside from all of the above, Little Rock has a number of great restaurants and is best known for its cheese dip and barbecue.
