FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a deck park?

A deck park is a green space constructed on a "deck" built over a freeway or other roadway. These parks are designed to reconnect communities split by highways, enhance community spaces, and provide new recreational areas while allowing traffic to continue underneath. Examples of some deck parks are Klyde Warren Park and Southern Gateway/Halperin Park in Dallas, Texas and I-70 Cover Park in Denver, Colorado.
General benefits include:
- Connecting communities
- Reduces noise and pollution
- Creating new public spaces
- Spurs economic activity
- Increases access to nature

The $2.0M Reconnecting Community Planning Grant, which is funding the significant portion of the planning study, was awarded to the City of Little Rock for the specific purpose of conducting community engagement and investigating the feasibility of a deck park spanning I-30 between 6th and 9th streets.
The planning study itself is being conducted to receive public input and to determine the feasibility of the I-30 Deck Park and will not directly result in the detailed design nor construction of the deck park.
The proposed solution would reconnect the community by creating safer, more inviting pedestrian crossings and a vibrant gathering space that fosters neighborhood cohesion, urban revitalization, and economic and social opportunities.
Completing a planning study and having the project ready for the next phases, such as NEPA review, design, and construction, helps position the City strongly when applying for federal construction grants. Federal agencies often prioritize projects that are well-prepared and demonstrate readiness, because it reduces risk and ensures funds can be used efficiently and on schedule.

The City of Little Rock approved the $2.5 million I-30 Deck Park Planning Study, with $2 million funded by a 2023 US DOT Reconnection Communities Planning grant dedicated to this study and the remaining $500,000 coming from the City's public works fund. Visit Little Rock I-30 Deck Park Reconnecting Communities Pilot Planning Grant to learn more about the grant.

During this 30 Crossing public involvement process, the local community indicated support for a deck park between 6th Street and 9th Street as a unifying solution for the barrier created by the I-30 corridor. Recent improvements to the I-30 corridor as part of ARDOT’s 30 Crossing project were designed to accommodate the possibility of a deck park in this area.
The Reconnecting Communities Planning grant was awarded for the specific purpose of investigating the feasibility of a deck park spanning I-30 between 6th and 9th streets. Visit Little Rock I-30 Deck Park Reconnecting Communities Pilot Planning Grant to learn more about the grant.

No, improvements to the 30 Crossing Park area underneath the new I-30 bridge are not included in the scope of this study. However, the study will consider effective ways to facilitate and accommodate connection and ties to existing and planned amenities in the area, including 30 Crossing Park. Visit the 30 Crossing Park Project website or the Downtown Little Rock Master Plan website for additional information.

Alternatives and the responsibilities for governance and the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the deck park will be investigated during this planning study. Different funding mechanisms for O&M costs will be investigated, and recommendations will be provided for future consideration.

The deck park project is a joint effort between the City of Little Rock and multiple stakeholders, including the business group Fifty for the Future, the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Arkansas Department of Transportation, the Coalition of Little Rock Neighborhoods, and the City Board of Directors.
There were more than 60 letters of support from the community supporting this planning study for a deck park. This included letters from two Arkansas U.S. Senators and one member of Congress. Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. emphasized that the initiative is about reconnecting neighborhoods near the I-30 Interstate.

The project team received a notice to proceed with work on the study in
October. The planning study is expected to be complete by early 2027.

The reconstruction of I-30 has created rare conditions for reclaiming urban land and joining communities separated by past infrastructure.
The deck park could reconnect the East Village/Hanger Hill Neighborhood with MacArthur Park and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, offering a transformative public space that bridges communities and supports cultural and economic growth.

Current Approach: Funding will include federal grants as a primary source.
Future Planning: Additional funding strategies will be identified during the upcoming planning study.