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naturally speakingClinton Helps Dedicate Bridge, WetlandsFormer President Bill Clinton, his wifeand Secretary of State Hillary RodhamClinton and their daughter Chelsea Clintonled a list of local dignitaries on hand Sept.30 for the dedication of two projectsadjoining the Clinton Presidential Center.The Clinton Presidential Park Bridge, forpedestrians and cyclists, and the WilliamE. “Bill” Clark Presidential Park Wetlandswere dedicated with a ceremony at thefoot of the bridge on the west side of theClinton Presidential Library.The Arkansas Game and FishCommission has been a partner in bothprojects, through funds and manpower.“You have literally and figurativelychanged the landscape of our state,” LittleRock Mayor Mark Stodola said to thecrowd and the former president. He saidthe “two great amenities” will help citiesand the county continue to grow. “Thebridge represents a connection betweentwo cities. The wetlands is a case study incommunity collaboration.”The adjacent wetlands project is namedfor the late Clark, who was a cofounder ofCDI Contractors, the company that builtthe Clinton Presidential Library. DeanKumpuris, Little Rock city director, cameup with the wetlands idea in the name ofClark.“It is a great site to show the people ofthis city why it’s important to conserveand take care of things,” Kumpurissaid. “Why spend $2 million? It’ll be aneducational opportunity for people to seewetlands. We will be able to take youngpeople out to learn about what wetlandsare, what they do, what they should doand why they should be preserved. It goesalong with the (Witt Stephens Jr. CentralArkansas Nature Center) and Heifer(International).”According to Little Rock PublicThe William E. “Bill” Clark Presidential Park Wetlands is a nice pairing with nearby Witt Stephens Jr.Central Arkansas Nature Center. Photo by Mike Wintroath.Works Operating Manager Eric Petty,$400,000 came from the AGFC forhabitat, $353,000 from a grant through theArkansas Natural Resources Commissionfor a trap to catch trash that washes intothe area and a water lift system, $500,000from the Clinton Foundation, $100,000from One Bank and Trust, and $675,000in the name of Bill Clark. That totals$2.03 million.Although the wetlands isn’t a wetlandsarea in the sense that it filters water, it willhelp visitors understand how wetlandswork. Elevated boardwalks crisscross thewetlands, which includes a large bat house.A statue of Clark and his dog Chloe byartist Clay Enoch has been installed at thewetlands. Clark was an avid outdoorsmanwho loved hunting and fishing. Thesculpture, called “Steady,” depicts Clark inwaders with a duck call.The bridge is the eastern edge of theloop that runs along the Arkansas Riveron both sides, west to the Big Dam Bridge.The loop, known as the Arkansas RiverTrail, is the center and beginning of aseries of trails that local leaders hope willcontinue to spread in all directions.The project got a lift in April 2010 when$2.6 million in Economic DevelopmentAdministration grants became available.“The conversion of the historic railroadbridge into a pedestrian pathway will givecentral Arkansas a distinctive landmarkand will complete one of the best urbantrail systems in the country,” Clinton saidat the time. “By connecting importantdestinations, including my PresidentialCenter, the bridge will also supportrevitalization efforts in downtown LittleRock.”North Little Rock Mayor Pat Haysbrought a cheer from cyclists, walkers andrunners in the dedication crowd when hecalled the bridge “the linchpin of the RiverTrail system.”24ARKANSAS WILDLIFE NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2011