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The Big Dam Bridge

Over Thanksgiving Break, I did a few outdoor activities with my family when I was home in Little Rock, and going to the Big Dam Bridge was one of them. The Big Dam Bridge is one of my favorite spots in Little Rock. Its base is where we would meet for cross country practices in middle and high school, and I have met my friends there for walks more times than I can count. It is one of the many great spots in Little Rock where one can experience nature and get outside, all while making it a fun, yet simple social gathering.

On Tuesday, it was my mom, my sister, and I. We drove down the hill to the Arkansas River and parked the car. There are running and biking trails all up and down both sides of the Arkansas River, and the Big Dam Bridge is a walking bridge that connects the two sides' trails. It passes over the dam that helps control the water levels of the river during rainy and dry seasons. It is also outfitted with a lock for ships to pass through. After discussing the impact of human development in class since going on this walk, I wondered how much wildlife the dam has impacted. It was built when I was little, and at that age I had no awareness of ecosystems and environmental health. Now, knowing how even small environmental changes can domino into dramatic effects further down food chains, I cannot even imagine what animals have been affected by the dam.

We got out of the car and headed up the bridge. When we get to the top, we can see the entire expanse of Little Rock. The Arkansas River extends out to our left, splits around Two Rivers park, a peninsula  that juts a bit out into the water. Pinnacle Mountain sticks out in the distance, keeping watch over the town. Where there isn't green, there is blue from the water. The wind blows my hair and my jacket flaps around me. The bridge has a few runners and bikers out enjoying the beautiful day. This view is one of my most favorite spots in Little Rock because it gives such a great vantage point of my hometown. Whenever I think about the Big Dam Bridge, I feel so grateful that at least Little Rock is a city that values its environmental aspects and builds great parks and points that allow the public to enjoy them. Even if they require disruption of the natural environment, at least it brings awareness to what is there.

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