30 Crossing Park will be a destination park that will link more than 100 acres of green space, connect regional greenway system, and reflect the unique character of Arkansas’s diverse geography, ecology, and outdoor culture
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (July 7, 2026) —The Bezos Earth Fund, under the direction of Chairman Jeff Bezos and Vice Chair Lauren Sánchez Bezos, announced today its selection of Little Rock, Arkansas as part of its Greening America’s Cities program, marking a transformational investment in 30 Crossing Park in the River Market district of downtown Little Rock.
Little Rock joins Allentown, Pa.; Atlanta; Cleveland; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Salt Lake City; and Sioux Falls, S.D. as cities selected in this cohort. $100 million will be spread across eight cities to fund community-designed parks, beautiful large scale green space, and immersive outdoor areas.
“Growing up in Albuquerque I remember in middle school taking the city bus to my grandma's house after school. Right by her house there was a park. I loved that park so much. I went there all the time. It felt enormous to me as a kid but I’m sure if I went back now it would look a lot smaller. I felt safe there. Protected. I would go by myself and just play for hours. That’s what a great park does. It makes the world feel bigger and the world feel safer. That’s what we’re trying to give people with this program. Not just green space. A place that feels like yours.” stated Lauren Sánchez Bezos, Vice Chair of the Bezos Earth Fund.
Bezos Earth Fund President and CEO Tom Taylor joined Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr., Congressman French Hill and Little Rock Regional Chairwoman Ruth Whitney on site in downtown Little Rock to launch 30 Crossing Park through a $30 million commitment from its Greening America’s Cities program.
“This grant has the potential to be transformational for Arkansas, not just delivering a once-in-a-generation investment for downtown Little Rock but also creating a cornerstone park within the broader Maumelle-Pinnacles trail network,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “We are grateful to the Bezos family and the Bezos Earth Fund for their generous support to build a destination park right in the heart of our capital city."
The 30 Crossing investment is a collaboration between the Bezos Earth Fund and local partners including the Little Rock Regional Chamber, the City of Little Rock, Arkansas Department of Transportation, and the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, and the Arkansas Congressional delegation.
“30 Crossing Park will be a vibrant destination that attracts talent, tourism and investment, and will change the way the world experiences the city we call home,” said Ruth Whitney, 2026 Chair of the Little Rock Regional Chamber. “We extend our deepest gratitude to Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, and the Bezos Earth Fund for this catalytic investment in 30 Crossing Park, an urban green space that will transform downtown Little Rock for generations to come.”
Urban planners and public health researchers increasingly note the importance of green spaces – places that cool neighborhoods, improve air quality, and support mental and physical health. That’s why each project the Bezos Earth Fund selected with the community focused on underutilized land that could be transformed most meaningfully and sustained long-term.
“At the Bezos Earth Fund, we want to make the planet a place people can and want to live, and that includes making sure people have green spaces woven into daily life — places to cool down and get shade, bring their families, or simply walk through on their commute. Those places shouldn’t be a luxury,” said Tom Taylor, CEO and President of the Bezos Earth Fund. “Greening America’s Cities shows what’s possible when communities, local leaders, and partners come together to transform overlooked spaces into something extraordinary. Our hope is that these projects serve as a blueprint for turning vacant land into community assets and encourage even more investment in green spaces — from government, philanthropy, and others — in cities across the country.”
30 Crossing represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform a 20-acre site in downtown Little Rock. Nearly 16 of these acres were reclaimed by removal of a cloverleaf interchange and elevated roadway structures through a recently completed redesign of Interstate 30.
"Projects like 30 Crossing reflect ARDOT’s commitment to listening to local communities and transforming feedback into meaningful improvements that enhance safety and reduce congestion,” said ARDOT Director Jared Wiley. “The project's impact extends beyond the roadway, laying the foundation for the development of 30 Crossing Park by creating space for a vibrant community gathering place. ARDOT is proud to continue to partner with city and state partners and local organizations to help make this vision a reality and remains committed to improving the quality of life for all Arkansans."
30 Crossing Park will be a destination park that will connect more than 100 acres of interconnected green space along the riverfront, linking the Clinton Presidential Center and the existing Riverfront Park into a cohesive recreational and cultural corridor. It will also repair critical connections in the regional greenway system, including the Arkansas River Trail, the Southeast Trail, and establish a new link between MacArthur Park and Riverfront Park.
“30 Crossing Park represents a full-circle moment for Little Rock,” said Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. “As a former highway commissioner, I remember the conversations around the I-30 expansion and the importance residents placed on making sure this project did more than move traffic. It also had to create opportunity, connectivity and meaningful green space for our community. Today, we are seeing that vision come to life. This transformational investment will reconnect land, neighborhoods, trails, cultural destinations and people in a way that reflects who we are as Arkansas’s capital city: a place where nature, opportunity and community come together. We are grateful to the Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department, Bezos Earth Fund, the Little Rock Regional Chamber, ARDOT, the State of Arkansas, our congressional delegation and every partner who helped move this vision forward. Together, we are creating a destination that will unite our city, grow our economy and transform our riverfront for generations to come.”
Interstate 30, once a barrier, will now act as a gateway, providing shade for active sports and framing views among cultural assets. The park is thematically organized into 12 distinct sections, four of which will be directly supported by the Earth Fund’s grant: 1. Mountain Playground (a major destination park amenity), 2. Sports Courts, 3. Event Lawn, and 4. Wetland Gardens.
“I’m grateful for this investment by the Bezos Earth Fund as well as the vision and efforts of local and state leaders,” said U.S. Senator John Boozman. “This project is a creative solution that will enhance our capital city, elevate the quality of life for residents and boost Little Rock’s appeal to visitors pursuing outdoor recreation opportunities. I applaud this exciting public-private partnership and look forward to seeing the transformation and benefits it generates.”
"Natural beauty and wonderful green spaces are defining qualities of Arkansas, and this investment brings that spirit into the heart of downtown Little Rock,” said Congressman French Hill. “30 Crossing Park is going to transform the riverfront into a destination, drive economic growth, attract talent, and make the city an even better place to live and raise a family. None of this happens without extraordinary collaboration, and I'm grateful to everyone who made it possible and to the Bezos Earth Fund for investing in the capital of the Natural State.”
The 30 Crossing Park Master Plan, which was funded by the City of Little Rock Board of Directors and administered by the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, reflects the unique character of Arkansas by acting as a microcosm of the entire state's diverse geography, ecology, and outdoor culture. Little Rock sits at a natural crossroads where multiple distinct regions meet.
30 Crossing will connect downtown Little Rock to the Maumelle Pinnacles Recreation Area, a dynamic network of trails, enabling users to traverse the landscape and explore diverse recreational offerings in a variety of ways: clusters of nearby destinations within the area may be accessed by bicycling, hiking, or paved walking trails. Presently, pedestrians and cyclists can embark on a scenic journey from 30 Crossing in Downtown Little Rock on the river trail to the Two Rivers Bridge at River Mountain Park, westward to Pinnacle Mountain State Park, from Pinnacle to Rattlesnake Ridge and Blue Mountain.
"Arkansas is The Natural State, and 30 Crossing Park reflects the power of outdoor recreation to transform communities," said Shea Lewis, Secretary, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. "Through visionary partnerships and the support of the Bezos Earth Fund, we are building more than a park, this is a transformational investment in outdoor recreation, connectivity, and quality of life. By linking trails, parks, and cultural destinations, the project creates new opportunities for residents and visitors alike and strengthens Little Rock's position as a destination in the heart of The Natural State. We are grateful to the Bezos Earth Fund and our many partners for helping bring this vision to life."
The plan heavily relies on extensive stakeholder engagement, incorporating feedback from local residents, business owners, and civic leaders through public workshops and online surveys to shape the park's design. This community input directly inspired the layout of the space, which balances active sports facilities like a skate park and pickleball courts with family-friendly amenities such as playgrounds, a dog park, and waterfront features. 30 Crossing Park is a central pillar of the overarching Little Rock Downtown Master Plan aimed at boosting economic growth, connectivity, and urban density.
About the Bezos Earth Fund
The Bezos Earth Fund, guided by the belief that Earth is the best planet in this solar system, works to protect and restore the natural world. Working with partners around the globe, we are developing innovative solutions to ensure the planet remains a place we can — and want to — live on. Based in the United States, the organization is led by President and CEO Tom Taylor, under the direction of Chairman Jeff Bezos and Vice Chair Lauren Sánchez Bezos. To learn more, visit: bezosearthfund.org