Centennial Park

Historical Significance

Centennial Park is a neighborhood park located in Little Rock, Arkansas. The park occupies one city block in a densely-developed area of central Little Rock, spanning approximately 2 acres. It is situated on the site previously occupied by the Centennial Public School, which was designed in 1894 by Little Rock architect Thomas Harding and featured a distinctive two-story bell tower entrance.

In 1971, when the school building was demolished to make way for the new park, the bell tower was preserved to provide a focal point and historical marker. Development of recreational facilities began in 1973 with major funding assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Park Features

Today, the park serves as a recreational space for the surrounding community, offering various amenities for visitors to enjoy.

The park's most notable feature is the preserved bell tower and staircase from the original Centennial Public School, which now stands at the entrance to the park. This architectural element serves as a reminder of the site's educational history and adds a unique character to the park's landscape.