North Little Rock welcomes tourists to see the entire solar eclipse and makes reservations for Burns Park

Little Rock, Arkansas – The complete solar eclipse on April 8 is just two months away, and Arkansas cities that will be in its path of totality are getting ready for the expected rush of out-of-state visitors.

North Little Rock views the eclipse as a fantastic opportunity, much like many other cities in the line of totality.

On the day of the eclipse, the city is selling $25 parking passes in Riverfront Park near to the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum and Burns Park.

“When you’re talking about one and a half million people coming into Arkansas, above what we already have…it’s a large event, we want to be a part of it,” said Kenny Stephens, director of North Little Rock Parks and Recreation, Traffic Services/Safety.

According to Stephens, the park fund will receive the profits.

The city has many additional locations set aside for observing eclipses; the event will take place at Mickey Stephens Park, for which the city just approved a new roof.

“We want to put our best foot forward without a doubt, not just in our city, but all around. So, people will be coming here—there’s places gonna be in Burns Park, Dickey Stephens field, the [North Little Rock] airport, on our riverfront—the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum. So, we’re looking at all places that people could come set up a chair, relax, and enjoy the solar eclipse,” said North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick.

And a huge number of people are expected to visit the area, according to North Little Rock Tourism.

“We anticipate probably the City of North Little Rock to double or triple in population,” said Stephanie Slagle, North Little Rock Tourism’s director of communications.

The city is getting ready for the challenge posed by the huge volume of tourists that are expected.

“Crisis management planning, but also working with our partners and our restaurants, our hotels,” Slagle said.

“I will meet with North Little Rock Police Chief Thessing and North Little Rock Fire Chief Tucker to say, alright, here’s our responsibilities, we’re going to need extra people. Everybody’ll be all hands on deck for that day and a half to two days,” Hartwick said.

There is a tangible sense of excitement around the state for this once-in-a-lifetime eclipse with just two months to go.

“Never seen anything like this though, never seen it. This is going to be very exciting and can’t wait,” Hartwick said.

A guide to information about the eclipse on April 8 has also been produced by the City of North Little Rock.