Burns Park, Arkansas River Valley Travel Guide

Burns Park, one of the largest city-owned parks in the United States, is a true gem in North Little Rock. Spanning 1,700 acres, the park's land has a rich history, having served as farmland, a timber source, and even a military training ground.Originally, about 6,000 acres in North Little Rock were purchased by the U.S. government between 1900 and 1915 and were used as Camp Pike, a training camp for soldiers during World War I. Remnants of Camp Pike, such as old foxholes, can still be found throughout the park. In 1937, it was renamed Camp Robinson and expanded to over 48,000 acres during World War II, used for basic training and housing prisoners of war. After the war, the land was declared surplus.In 1949, the City of North Little Rock acquired 871 acres of the surplus property, thanks to the efforts of Dr. William M. Burns, a former North Little Rock mayor and parks advocate. The park was named in his honor in 1950. With the help of Congressman Brooks Hays, an additional 656 acres of surplus government property were given to the city in 1955.Today, Burns Park boasts an impressive array of amenities, including 17 soccer fields, 22 tennis courts, two 18-hole golf courses, and multiple disc golf courses. Visitors can also enjoy Funland Amusement Park, a softball complex, baseball complex, archery range, and a BMX track. The park also features a fishing lake, dog parks, playgrounds, picnic areas, and RV camping sites.History buffs will appreciate the park's historical attractions, such as a pre-Civil War log cabin, a covered bridge reminiscent of those found in New England, a Union Pacific Caboose, and a World War II tank. Nature lovers can explore the park's 15 miles of natural surface multi-use trails and 6 miles of paved multi-use trails.While a tornado in March 2023 caused significant damage, the park has made great strides in recovery, with most areas now open to the public.