Conway AR Parks and Outdoors -- Direct Answer
Conway's Parks, Trails, and Waterfront Spots (2026)
Parks: Laurel Park (26 acres, 7/10-mile jogging track, splash pad, Conway Tennis Center), Fifth Avenue Park (10 acres, splash pad, pickleball courts), Pompe Park (19.5 acres, 1-mile bicycle flow trail, Veterans Plaza 2023), Conway Station Park (40 acres, 9-field baseball complex, stocked fishing pond), Simon Park (downtown bandstand and benches).
Trails: Kinley Trail (3.1 miles, Tucker Creek, Tyler Street to Hogan Lane), Stone Dam Creek Trail (UCA campus southeast toward Lake Conway, Dave Ward Pedestrian Bridge 2019, underpass South Donaghey Ave 2022), Pompe Park bicycle flow trail (1 mile, berms, jumps, drops).
Waterfront: Beaverfork Lake Park (swim beach, boat ramps, accessible fishing pier, completed 1956), Cadron Settlement Park (150 acres, Arkansas River, US Army Corps lease, blockhouse replica, hiking trails). Lake Conway: currently under active renovation -- completion targeted by Dec 31, 2028.
If outdoor access matters in your day-to-day life, Conway gives you more than a single standout park. You have neighborhood playgrounds, connected trails, downtown green space, and waterfront destinations spread across the city, which can make it easier to picture how you would actually spend a weekend here.
Conway's park system is built for regular use, not just occasional outings. Recreation in Conway is spread across everyday destinations instead of being centered in one flagship park -- places for a quick walk, a family picnic, a bike ride, or a lake day without leaving the city.
Conway AR Parks and Trails at a Glance
| Park / Trail | Size / Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Laurel Park | 26 acres -- splash pad, 7/10-mile jogging track, Conway Tennis Center, pavilions | Families, active households, all-day park visits |
| Fifth Avenue Park | 10 acres -- splash pad, pickleball courts, basketball goals, large playground | Warm-weather family outings; west Conway residents |
| Pompe Park | 19.5 acres -- 1-mile bicycle flow trail (berms, jumps, drops), Tucker Creek, Kinley Trail access, Veterans Plaza (2023) | Cyclists, walkers, mixed outdoor use |
| Conway Station Park | 40 acres -- 9-field baseball complex, large stocked fishing pond | Sports families; fishing households |
| Kinley Trail | 3.1 miles -- Tucker Creek, Tyler Street to Hogan Lane, est. 1990s | Everyday walking and biking; connected commutes |
| Stone Dam Creek Trail | UCA campus to Lake Conway -- Dave Ward Pedestrian Bridge (2019), underpass South Donaghey Ave (2022) | Campus-adjacent residents; longer distance walking and biking |
| Beaverfork Lake Park | Completed 1956 -- swim beach, boat ramps, accessible fishing pier, disc golf, sand volleyball, Springfield-Des Arc Bridge | Swimming, boating, fishing, half-day and full-day outings |
| Cadron Settlement Park | 150 acres, Arkansas River -- boat ramp, hiking trails, picnic sites, blockhouse replica, US Army Corps lease | River access, history, hiking; less-crowded alternative to Beaverfork |
| Lake Conway | Under active renovation -- AGFC project targeting completion by Dec 31, 2028 | Future recreational asset -- monitor for improvements |
Source: Conway Parks and Recreation, AGFC. Lake Conway renovation status current as of January 2026 -- verify before planning any visit.
Considering a Move to Conway?
Outdoor access shapes how a place feels once you live there.
Capital Sotheby's International Realty can help you find a Conway home that fits the way you want to live -- whether that means trail access, proximity to Beaverfork, or a neighborhood park within walking distance.
Parks for Family-Friendly Outings
Laurel Park
One of Conway's oldest parks and one of its most versatile. The 26-acre park includes a large playground, open space, pavilions, picnic grills, restrooms, a 7/10-mile jogging track, and the city's first splash pad. The Conway Tennis Center is located on the park's north end. If you want a central park with room to play, sit, and stay a while, Laurel Park is an easy place to start.
Fifth Avenue Park
A 10-acre neighborhood park west of Interstate 40 offering a second splash pad, updated bathrooms, sidewalks, parking, basketball goals, a large playground, picnic tables and grills, and pickleball courts. For warm-weather family outings, Fifth Avenue Park checks a lot of boxes in one stop. Splash pads are seasonal -- check current operating status before visiting.
Pompe Park
A 19.5-acre park bisected by Tucker Creek that combines open space, trail access, and bike features in one location. Pompe Park includes access to Kinley Trail plus a one-mile bicycle flow trail with berms, jumps, and drops. Veterans Plaza was completed there in 2023, adding another feature to this already active park.
Conway Station Park and Simon Park
Conway Station Park is a 40-acre former fairgrounds site redeveloped into a nine-field baseball complex with a large stocked fishing pond -- one of the clearest choices in Conway for households that want sports facilities paired with a simple fishing option. Simon Park is a compact downtown park with a covered bandstand, benches, and a picnic table -- useful for a short stop when you are already spending time in the city center.
Trails for Walking and Biking
Kinley Trail
Conway's original walking and biking trail. Stretches 3.1 miles along Tucker Creek from Tyler Street to Hogan Lane. The trail system began in the 1990s under Mayor Dave Kinley and still serves as a practical and scenic option for everyday movement, connecting different parts of Conway while staying close to the rhythm of the city.
Stone Dam Creek Trail
Begins on the University of Central Arkansas campus and continues southeast toward Lake Conway. The Dave Ward Pedestrian Bridge (added 2019) and an underpass under South Donaghey Avenue (completed 2022) have made the route easier and safer to navigate. The city's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board has stated a goal of making walking and biking safe, convenient, and accessible.
Waterfront Spots to Know
Beaverfork Lake Park
One of Conway's most complete water-focused destinations. The lake was created after water shortages in the 1950s and completed in 1956. Today the park includes a swim beach, boat ramps, an accessible fishing pier, picnic areas, a playground, sand volleyball, disc golf, baseball, and the restored Springfield-Des Arc Bridge. You can spend a full afternoon here whether your ideal outing includes swimming, boating, fishing, or simply gathering outdoors.
Cadron Settlement Park
A 150-acre Arkansas River site operated by the city under a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lease. Includes a boat ramp to the river, hiking trails, picnic sites, restrooms, and historic attractions including a blockhouse replica. If Beaverfork feels like a classic lake-day destination, Cadron Settlement Park feels more tied to the river landscape and local history.
Lake Conway
Best viewed as a future-focused recreational asset right now. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has the lake in an active renovation phase aimed at improving fish habitat, boating lanes, the dam and water-control structure, and public access -- with completion targeted no later than December 31, 2028. As of January 2026, AGFC reported the project was nearly halfway through its scheduled five-year renovation. Think of Lake Conway as a space to watch rather than a go-anytime outing spot for now.
Practical Combinations
Easy Ways to Plan a Conway Outing
Because parks and trails are spread across the city, it is often easy to pair a few stops together based on what kind of day you want.
- Laurel Park and Simon Park -- larger play stop followed by a quick downtown pause
- Kinley Trail and Pompe Park -- walking or biking with added bike-flow features
- Conway Station Park -- sports-centered outing with a fishing pond nearby
- Beaverfork Lake Park -- dedicated half-day or full-day water outing
Practical rules to know: Quiet hours 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Overnight camping not allowed. Pets must be leashed. Pets not allowed at outdoor sports facilities. Pavilion rentals available -- birthday parties and family reunions at pavilions do not require an application.
In 2025, Conway received a $250,000 USDA Urban and Community Forestry grant supporting canopy coverage, urban heat reduction, stormwater mitigation, tree inventories, and public-facing tree maps -- a signal of the city's long-term investment in public green space.
FAQs: Conway AR Parks and Outdoors
What are the best parks in Conway Arkansas for younger kids?
Laurel Park (26 acres, splash pad, 7/10-mile jogging track, Conway Tennis Center, pavilions) and Fifth Avenue Park (10 acres, splash pad, pickleball courts, basketball goals, large playground) are the two strongest options for younger kids. Both offer playgrounds, seasonal splash pads, and picnic amenities. Fifth Avenue Park is located west of Interstate 40; Laurel Park is one of Conway's oldest and most central parks. Splash pads are seasonal -- verify operating status before visiting.
What are the best walking and biking trails in Conway Arkansas?
Kinley Trail (3.1 miles along Tucker Creek from Tyler Street to Hogan Lane) is Conway's original and most established walking and biking trail. Stone Dam Creek Trail runs from the University of Central Arkansas campus southeast toward Lake Conway, with the Dave Ward Pedestrian Bridge (2019) and a South Donaghey Avenue underpass (2022) making the route safer and more connected. Pompe Park adds a one-mile dedicated bicycle flow trail with berms, jumps, and drops for riders who want a more skills-focused experience.
What are the main waterfront spots in Conway Arkansas?
Beaverfork Lake Park (completed 1956, swim beach, boat ramps, accessible fishing pier, disc golf, sand volleyball, restored Springfield-Des Arc Bridge) is Conway's most complete water-focused destination for swimming, boating, and fishing. Cadron Settlement Park (150 acres, Arkansas River, U.S. Army Corps lease) offers river access, hiking trails, picnic sites, and a blockhouse replica with a more historical and natural character. Lake Conway is currently under active multi-year renovation with completion targeted by December 31, 2028.
Is Lake Conway open for regular recreation right now?
Lake Conway should be viewed carefully for current planning. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has the lake in an active renovation phase focused on fish habitat, boating lanes, the dam and water-control structure, and public access, with completion targeted no later than December 31, 2028. As of January 2026, AGFC reported the project was nearly halfway through its scheduled five-year renovation. Beaverfork Lake Park and Cadron Settlement Park are the better options for water recreation in Conway right now.
Are Conway parks easy to use for parties and family gatherings?
Yes. The city says pavilion rentals are available, and birthday parties and family reunions at pavilions do not require an application. Practical rules: quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., overnight camping is not allowed, pets must be leashed, and pets are not allowed at outdoor sports facilities. These details help turn a park system from something nice on paper into something you can realistically use week after week.
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