When you have an empty lot, make a park! That’s exactly what the city of Fort Smith did, and the result is The Park at West End. Dubbed a “retro fun park,” it boasts lots of nods to the past, including an antique Ferris wheel and carousel. Though tiny, the park packs a big punch.

Opened in 2006, The Park at West End occupies what was once an empty lot in Fort Smith’s historic district.
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The “unique pocket park” is open seasonally, April through October.
Omar Sierra/Google
The park is small, but that’s not its only defining feature. Vintage rides are another hallmark of the park.
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There’s a Ferris wheel and a carousel – both of which date back decades.
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The park’s towering 56-foot Ferris wheel was first used at the 1935 World's Fair in San Diego.
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Also authentically old-fashioned, the vintage carousel was hand-painted in Italy.
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The park’s vintage vibes don’t end with the rides, though. There’s also a refurbished Pullman railcar and a 1963 double decker bus, which now serves as a snack bar.
Experience Fort Smith/Google
You will find a few modern-day touches, though.
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In addition to an LED-lighted splash pad, there’s a one-of-a-kind work of art by United Kingdom artist, D*Face.
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Life-sized fiberglass statues of animals also fill the park and provide lots of photo-ops.
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A tiny park that’s big on old-fashioned fun, The Park at West End proves that good things really do come in small packages!
Experience Fort Smith/Google

Remember, The Park at West End is open seasonally, from April – October. For more information on The Park at West End, call the Fort Smith Parks and Recreation Department at (479) 784-2368. You can also visit the Fort Smith website or Facebook page.

So, did you know about this unique park in Arkansas? Ever visited? If so, what’d you think? Tell us!

This isn’t the only great park in Arkansas. Click here to read about another that’s hiding in the middle of the forest.

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Park at West End, 115 Garrison Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA