The MacArthur Park Group presented plans for a 30-foot-diameter fiberglass Frisbee-shaped shade structure it hopes to install near the dog park, telling the Little Rock City Board of Directors that the piece has official clearance from Wham-O and will serve as both shade and a visible cultural landmark.

The presentation matters because the park group said the structure would address a documented lack of shade at the dog park, be highly visible from I-630, and fit goals in the downtown master plan for walkability and cultural connections.

Tim Heiple, representing the MacArthur Park Group, said the group has raised nearly $3 million over many years for park projects and has already raised about $100,000 toward this shade structure. “The project is gonna run around 200, $250,000. Weve raised about a 100,000 at this point,” Heiple said. He added the winning design from AMR Architects had to meet criteria including visibility, ties to park culture and dog-friendly themes, and universal accessibility. Heiple said the structure is an authentic Frisbee authorized by Wham-O.

Director Miller thanked the volunteer group and praised their regular meetings; other board members acknowledged the packet materials and the public selection process the MacArthur Park Group used. Heiple said the group is not asking the board for money at the meeting but is working with Parks staff, and that the group had private donors and partners including Studio Main and the Bowen School of Law involved in a design competition.

Organizers said the chosen location sits near major landmarks and is within walking distance of downtown; Heiple also asserted substantial daily visibility from the interstate, stating “there's a 110,000 vehicle that go by there every day.” The group presented renderings in the board packet and offered to answer questions from the board about fundraising and construction logistics.

The presentation closed with the group saying they will continue fundraising and coordinate with Parks staff on groundwork that the city can reasonably provide. The board did not take formal action at the meeting; Heiple and attendees were invited to follow up with Parks staff for implementation steps.

The MacArthur Park Group will continue fundraising and working with Parks staff; organizers said the next steps are to close the remaining funding gap and coordinate site preparation with city staff.