Other plans include planting trees along a popular Salt Lake City trail, restoring wetlands in Indianapolis and expanding green space around Los Angeles’ historic Watts Towers. The projects are designed to improve access to nature while giving overlooked land a new purpose.
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Little Rock plans a park where a motorway ramp once stood
Jeff Bezos in investing in a big plan to transform a former motorway exit ramp into a 20-acre park in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas, as per Bezos Earth Fund. The project, known as 30 Crossing Park, aims to turn land reclaimed through the removal of a cloverleaf exit ramp into a public space for recreation, arts, sports and nature.
According to the Bezos Earth Fund, the investment will support the initial phase of the project, which is expected to connect more than 100 acres of green space along the city’s riverfront. The proposed park will link the Clinton Presidential Center with the existing Riverfront Park, creating a connected recreational and cultural corridor for residents and visitors.
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The removal of the cloverleaf exit ramp has created an opportunity to repurpose a 20-acre site in downtown Little Rock. The redevelopment plan aims to turn the previously road-linked space into a destination where people can gather, take part in recreational activities and enjoy nature. By connecting existing green spaces and cultural attractions, 30 Crossing Park aims to make the riverfront more accessible while attracting visitors and investment to downtown Little Rock. The Bezos Earth Fund describes the site as a rare opportunity to transform urban land and expand access to public green space.
What will 30 Crossing Park offer?
The proposed park is being designed as a destination for arts, sports, play and nature. It will form part of a broader network of green spaces along the riverfront, connecting existing public attractions rather than functioning as an isolated park. The planned connection between the Clinton Presidential Center and Riverfront Park is expected to create a more cohesive recreational and cultural corridor. The project is also intended to support the city’s long-term development by creating a public destination that attracts tourism and encourages further investment in the surrounding area.
The Bezos Earth Fund grant will support the initial phase of 30 Crossing Park. It is also intended to help attract an additional $60 million to $70 million in fundraising for the project.
The Arkansas congressional delegation has supported efforts to realise the site’s recreational and economic potential, according to the Bezos Earth Fund announcement. Ruth Whitney, 2026 chair of the Little Rock Regional Chamber, welcomed the investment, saying the park could help attract talent, tourism and investment to the city.
“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,” Whitney said.
She also thanked Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez Bezos and the Bezos Earth Fund for supporting the project, describing the planned development as an urban green space that could transform downtown Little Rock for generations.