Friends,

Generations of up-and-coming basketball stars and athletes from across our City have played basketball under Interstate 630 at Kanis Park. So, when new freeway construction meant the closure of the basketball courts under the Rodney Parham Road overpass several years ago, we made a promise to restore them. Last week, we held a ribbon cutting to re-open this historic venue and highlight additional improvements to Kanis Park, where the courts are located.

We directed federal grant dollars and City targeted community development funds toward the project, which included replacement of a low-water bridge and the addition of ADA-accessible trails. We returned basketball to its rightful place, adding three new courts, seating for spectators and LED lighting. 

Parks unite our communities through recreational opportunities, and they are essential components of any successful City. Kanis Park, located in Ward 6 is an example of how residents with different interests can share a gathering place right in the heart of our City. Kanis Park features the new basketball courts, pickleball courts, a skate park and new playground equipment.

The Kanis Park project was spearheaded by Cromwell Architects and our dedicated Parks and Recreation Department team. We appreciate the Arkansas Department of Transportation for its partnership and agreement to allow us to continue to utilize the space under the freeway for the benefit of our residents and visitors. 

We plan to host an exciting basketball event at Kanis Park in spring 2025, so stay tuned for more details!

In the meantime, bring your basketball, your pickleball racket, or your skateboard and enjoy everything Kanis Park has to offer!

Some of our City's best and brightest students make up the Mayor's Youth Council, a group of engaged, focused young Little Rock residents who share a commitment to their City. I joined them last week for their December meeting and holiday celebration, where it was once again demonstrated that Little Rock's future is in great hands.

Each year, the Mayor's Youth Council chooses a specific project that serves as a theme for the year. This year, that is the issue of food insecurity. The City shares that priority with the council, having established a Food Commission this year and funding a mobile grocery store. I have challenged the youth council to identify other innovative solutions as well.

The Mayor’s Youth Council is composed of high school students from across the city. It meets monthly during the school year. Members must be Little Rock residents and attend school in the City. The group has five goals:advocate for issues affecting their communities; research and inform city staff about policy matters that impact the lives of young people; develop a passion for local governance; invest in their communities through volunteer work; and learn to be ambassadors of Little Rock to other Sister Cities across the globe.

Applications for the Mayor's Youth Council are accepted on a rolling basis and can be submitted on our website. 

• City offices will be closed for Christmas on Wednesday, Dec. 25, and New Year's Day on Wednesday, Jan. 1. Regular trash and recycling collection will be delayed by one day after each holiday. That means Wednesday collections will be Thursday, Thursday's will be Friday, and Friday's will be Saturday each week. 
• The Little Rock Board of Directors will hold a special-called meeting today (Monday, Dec. 23) at noon in the Board Room at City Hall, 500 W. Markham St., to consider the 2025 budget ordinance. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock's Facebook and YouTube pages.
• The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Little Rock Board of Directors is Tuesday, Jan. 7. 
• The City of Little Rock will host a swearing-in ceremony for the newly re-elected members of the Little Rock Board of Directors on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 3 p.m. at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, 501 E. Ninth St. Directors re-elected to four-year terms in November to be sworn in on Jan. 7 are Ward 4 Director Capi Peck and At-Large Directors Dean Kumpuris, Antwan Phillips and Joan Adcock.
• "GloWild!" is open nightly at the Little Rock Zoo until Jan. 5 (closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.). This one-of-a-kind holiday event featuring light displays and larger-than-life lanterns is one of our City's most popular attractions. Operating hours for GloWild! are from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. To learn more, visit the Zoo's website.
• The next Mayor's Monday Memo will be distributed on Monday, Jan. 6. Have a safe and happy holiday season!