Conway is a great city, with plenty of parks and outdoor spaces. These areas offer great places to spend time with family and friends, as well as get in a bit of exercise.
The Laurel Park playground and Gatlin Park are two of the city’s most popular recreation spots. These parks have undergone major renovations, complete with brand-new equipment, softer landings, and shade structures. Read on for some ideas.
Laurel Acres Park
Laurel Park is the city’s largest and most leafy park with a large playground, a splash pad, picnic tables, lighted tennis courts, and an open grassy area to play kickball, Frisbee, or fly kites. It also has a walking path, pavilion, and gazebo.
The park has recently been reopened with new playground equipment, softer landings, and shade structures, according to the city’s parks department. The parks have been flooded with parents and kids since renovations were completed.
Conway is a city of sports, and it has two excellent indoor recreational facilities, the Don Owen Sports Complex, and the McGee Center. Both have tee-ball, softball, and volleyball fields, as well as concessions, restrooms, and meeting rooms.
Soccer is another big sport in Conway, and the city’s Centennial Soccer Park has 10 full-size fields (four lighted), a concession stand, and a coach/referee room. The park also has a number of local clubs that play it.
Rhododendron Lake Nature Park
Located in the heart of Laurel Park near the town’s two largest lakes, Rainbow and Rhododendron, Laurel Park Nature Park is home to one of the region’s most impressive outdoor amenities. This 10-acre park features almost a mile of walking paths, a splash pad, open grassy areas, lighted tennis courts, and a catch-and-release fishing pond. The most memorable part of the park is its serene surroundings. It’s an ideal place to ponder the mysteries of life after a long day at work or play. Among other things, the occupants of this park can enjoy a relaxing glass of wine on a warm summer night or a good old fashion picnic with the family while taking in the scenery of a bygone era. The park also boasts an educational playground, a dog run, and a few surprisingly well-appointed restrooms. There’s not much that this park can’t do to make it a favorite for visitors and locals alike. Discover more exciting places here.
Little Laurel Green
Conway, Arkansas is a bustling tourist destination that offers a variety of adventures for every traveler. The city combines the modern conveniences of a big town with the charm of a small one.
The city is also home to many cultural and historical sights that aren’t commonly found in places of its size. The Baum Gallery at the University of Central Arkansas, the Cadron Settlement Park, and Art on the Green are all great destinations for learning about the area’s culture.
If you’re looking for something more action-packed, head over to the Hog Wild Family Fun Center. This is a go-kart and bumper car place that’s been a favorite of locals since 2008.
Laurel Hill State Park
Laurel Park is one of the state’s finest family outdoor experiences, encompassing 4,062 acres of mountainous terrain in Somerset County. The 63-acre Laurel Hill Lake is the focal point of this park, but there’s plenty more to see and do here, from the Jones Mill Run Dam to the Hemlock Trail Natural Area.
This park is also home to a number of recreational and educational programs designed to teach about the natural and cultural resources of our region. From hands-on activities to evening programs, Laurel Hill State Park offers a variety of fun and exciting events for the entire family. The Discover Birds and Blooms Scenic Driving Tour is one of the park’s many gems, featuring stops at the aforementioned Jones Mill Run Dam and Hemlock Trail Natural Area as well as a ride on the world’s steepest vehicular incline, all while providing impressive views of some of the area’s best-known natural landmarks. For more information, check out the aforementioned fact sheet. Check our next area of interest here.
Driving directions from American Services AR to Laurel Park
Driving directions from Laurel Park to Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park