Interpretive Signs Unveiled at Two Rivers Park

 

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Pulaski County Judge Floyd G. “Buddy” Villines and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Deputy Director Jeff Crow recently unveiled 13 interpretive signs along the Arkansas River Trail at Two Rivers Park.

The signs were created by the AGFC, with cooperation from Pulaski County, the City of Little Rock, Pinnacle Mountain State Park and the Arkansas Canoe Club.

Villines spoke about the history of the park and how a smart decision was made years ago to maintain the property, although selling it was tempting. He also said the area is not wilderness and never will be, although it gives Pulaski County residents and visitors room to roam and an easy opportunity to experience nature.

As an example of the popularity of the park and the Arkansas River Trail, Villines pointed out that more than 900,000 people had used Two Rivers Bridge since it opened in July 2011. The bridge ties Little Rock to Two Rivers Park via the Arkansas River Trail.

“The Arkansas River Trail is an important resource,” Crow said. “It’s perfect for exercise and wildlife watching; it reconnects us with nature. These signs will help thousands of people who use this park and trail understand their natural surroundings. They will learn about shore birds, songbirds, migrating waterfowl, fish, small mammals and white-tailed deer that live along the river. They’ll also get a sense of why conservation is crucial to maintaining areas like these. Of course, none of this would be possible if public agencies and other groups didn’t work together.”

Seven of the new signs are at the Learning Circle at Two Rivers Park; three are at access points for the Little Maumelle River Water Trail. A trail head sign has been installed near the public rest rooms at Two Rivers Park. A sign about habitat has been installed near a field, which will be left untouched, at Two Rivers Park, and a sign about river backwaters has been installed at the new overlook on the Little Maumelle River at Two Rivers Park.

The seven Learning Circle signs focus on plants, and habitat for birds, reptiles, fish and mammals. One sign recalls the park’s past as the Pulaski County Penal Farm, which closed in 1974.

One of the access points for the 8-mile Little Maumelle River Water Trail, part of the AGFC’s Arkansas Water Trails program, is just a few yards from the Learning Circle. The other two access points are the boat ramp near the foot of Two Rivers Bridge and the boat ramp at Pinnacle Mountain State Park.

For more information about Arkansas Water Trails, visit www.agfc.com/education/Pages/EducationProgramsAWT.aspx. See http://arkansasrivertrail.org/ for more about the Arkansas River Trail.

Directions to the Learning Circle: From Arkansas Highway 10 (Cantrell Road) in west Little Rock, turn north on Pinnacle Valley Road. After crossing the Little Maumelle River, continue straight on County Farm Road to Two Rivers Park Road and turn right. Continue through the park to the Learning Circle mound.

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