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The Little Rock Audubon Center is located in Gillam Park, a well-known hotspot for birders and native plant enthusiasts, and is managed by Audubon Delta as wildlife habitat for the city of Little Rock. The park includes bottomland hardwood forests, upland hardwood forests, nepheline syenite glades, and wetlands.
Hike Our Trails
Wildlife Observation Trail
Located directly behind the Little Rock Audubon Center (4500 Springer Blvd., Little Rock, AR 72206), this 1-mile, ADA loop winds through oak savannah habitat and features interpretive signage, a picnic area with fire pit, bench seating, and scenic views of downtown Little Rock. A connecting trail at the top of the hill travels along a nepheline syenite glade and connects to Gillam Park. Trail enhancements include a pollinator garden, rain garden, vernal pool, Chimney Swift towers, bat boxes, and diverse nesting boxes. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed. Trashcans are provided for use along the trail.
The trail is open 7 days a week, from sunrise to sunset. Trailhead is on the Center's right side with parking available in the main lot.
Gillam Park
Encompassing over 400-acres of diverse habitat, the park includes bottomland hardwood forests, upland hardwood forests, nepheline syenite glades, and wetlands. About 3-miles of trails are available for use. Gillam Park is a well-known hotspot for birders and native plant enthusiasts and is managed by Audubon Delta as wildlife habitat for the city of Little Rock.
The park is closed to vehicles and only open to foot traffic. Cars may park at the gate (34.702679, -92.252908) or at the Little Rock Audubon Center parking lot (4500 Springer Blvd.). Gillam Park can also be accessed from the Wildlife Observation Trail (above) from the top of the hill, at the cul-de-sac. Trails are open 7 days a week, from sunrise to sunset.
Interpretive improvements have been made in Gillam Park thanks to support from 3M and the Union Pacific Foundation.
A globally rare ecosystem
Nepheline syenite glades exist only in Pulaski and Saline counties and nowhere else in the world. The Little Rock Audubon Center protects two of these rare glades, and the plants and animals that live there.
What is a Nepheline Syenite Glade?
A glade is an opening in the woods where bedrock is at the surface. In this case that bedrock is nepheline syenite, a gray igneous rock that resembles granite. Nepheline syenite is found around the world, but its glades occur only in Arkansas. Because the soil is thin to absent, and conditions are dry for most of the year, trees can’t grow within a glade. Grasses and wildflowers grow where there is sufficient soil. Mosses and lichens grow on the rocks. The rare Small-headed Pipewort, a tiny flowering plant, grows on larger outcroppings.
Centers and Sanctuaries in Delta
Places nearby that you can visit and get involved.
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