Sad Times at Fort Roots
By paul. Filed in Photography Articles |
For any photographer, being able to capture a great sunset which features the local geography is a treat. As I live in Little Rock, I am always trying to find a new spot to take in a sunset that features the city. Little Rock has many great subjects that add to any photographic situation. These include the new Big Dam Bridge, Pinnacle Mountain (which to many looks like a volcano), the Arkansas River and of course the downtown Little Rock skyline.
View to the West From Fort Roots Summit Featuring Pinnacle Mtn
One of the best places to capture all of these subjects and many more is from the summit of Fort Roots. Fort Roots is on the North Little Rock side of the Arkansas River. I am not sure of the actual history of Fort Roots, but it goes back to as far as the Civil War when a fort was built on the summit to protect Little Rock and the Arkansas River boat traffic. It is a very impressive sight, with large shear red rock cliffs that plunge at least 150 feet or more down to the Arkansas River. Fort Roots is now a VA Hospital and apparently private Federal property. This is most unfortunate since this means that someone can not park on VA grounds and then walk around the hilltop to find a good vantage point.
There are many other ways up to the top of the cliffs, none of them quite as easy. The other traditional route is to park at a small city park, Emerald Park, then walk a trail that connects with the trail that runs around the bluff rim. You have about a 15 to 20 minute walk and then you will come out on bluff itself and will be separated from the Fort Roots property by a large 6 foot chain link fence. From here you you can either shoot up river to catch views of Pinnacle mountain and the smaller peaks along with views of the Big Dam bridge. This view is directly to the west and thus can make a great sunset if the conditions are right. If you shoot downriver, you will catch a great view of the downtown Little Rock skyline. There are several large trees that block the view when looking at the downtown Little Rock skyline. I was able to find one spot where you can get most of the skyline without being blocked. With a little work, you can pan across and get both the Little Rock Skyline and the State Capitol.
I was very dismayed when I went over to Emerald Park the other day. The issue is that I found less than safe conditions. There were gang signs all over the park, and plenty of broken car glass, which made me feel that it was not safe to park a car here and walk out to the bluffs. The park also closes at 8:00 pm and if you are late getting back, you car will be locked inside overnight. I used to go to Emerald park all the time to watch people repel down the bluffs. Back then you would often find people running, walking dogs, etc. now all I found was trash and a group of people that didn’t make me want to leave my car and walk to the bluffs.
This is a sad state of affairs. You can’t go up to Fort Roots proper to park, where you would be safe and if you walk in from Emerald park, you best not be alone. There is also only one way into the Fort Roots area now, as the old Hill Road is now gated closed. That is the way I always used to go up to park.
Sad signs of the times.
Tags: Fort Roots, Litter, Little Rock
Sunday, October 11th 2009 at 12:21pm |
I go walking in Emeral Park frequently, and for what it’s worth have had no trouble. Sometimes I park in the little lot near pulaski tech, and sometimes in the Burns Park lot at the foot of Emerald Park, which means you get a nice, vigorous walk to the top.
Wednesday, October 21st 2009 at 8:40pm |
Fort Roots is open to the public. I drove all around the complex this afternoon. I saw no reason I couldn’t have parked and walked around and took all the pictures I wanted (except for the usual parking problems inherent with a busy medical facility). Hill Road is also open. I drove down and back up today.
Monday, November 2nd 2009 at 1:11pm |
We were at Emerald Park and Ft. Roots this weekend. Had never been and it is a beautiful area. I have to admit, though, I was not real comfortable being in the park with just two of us, even though one of us was a guy. We encountered one intimidating group, although they seemed friendly enough. We picked up some trash (there was plenty) but otherwise enjoyed the gorgeous fall weather and scenery.
It doesn’t appear that Ft. Roots is off limits to the public. Usually a restricted military installation will have a manned gate. We didn’t see any signs or anything, so we drove around several times looking at the cool buildings.
I’ve been looking for info on Ft. Roots. I’m a history buff, especially military history (I come from a long line) and would love to find more historical info on the post.
Back to the park, the bottom line is use caution, no matter where you go. It is sad, but a fact of life in these times, so just be smart and be safe!
Thursday, July 15th 2010 at 9:35pm |
I just walked the river walk trail and seemed friend. I didnt know about this Emerald Park tell tonight which is what brought me to this site. As for Fort Roots, while you can drive on to it, I have gotten in trouble myself for standing on the property and taking pictures. However, I was told there is a number you can call and get specific date permission to take what you want off the cliff. Just none of the buildings.
Monday, July 19th 2010 at 10:03pm |
Dale,
Thanks for the note. I have a contact now, but as you point out, they can and will get upset if they find you just standing there. When I got caught, I was pointed to LR, not FT Roots but
the cop still started to write me up, then let me go. Sad point, you can’t get the city shots without being inside the compound as if not, you will be too low and the trees will get in the way.
I still don’t like Em park after dark. I have been by there a couple of time and each time decided the crowd was not friendly. Just look at the amount of broken glass on the ground, most of
it is car glass.
The views towards pinnacle can be reached from EM park along the trail. Just not the City shots.
Paul C.
Sunday, November 21st 2010 at 7:15pm |
I go to Emerald park “Ft. Roots” Regularly, so regularly in fact that its like my own back yard. i’ve never had problems with the law or people that were up to no good. my frends and i skate regularly at the skatepark just down the road and visit often. we constantly wonder what all of the concrete buildings are especially the bridge that goes nowhere and over nothing but grass and brush. theres rumors that it was a rock quarry or an old military base. you’ll definatley leave there with a big questionmark in your head. i do every time.
Saturday, January 8th 2011 at 11:36am |
Fort Roots was originally an old military base. I grew up in the neighboring area during the 1960s when it was a veterans hospital. I was surprised to read that it is still used for that purpose. My father was a patient there several times due to problems he developed after serving in WWII. Our mom would take us there on the city bus on Sundays. We would visit my dad and picnic near the pond and take walks on the grounds. Despite the negative connotation of being a mental hospital, it was a very pleasant place to be. The grounds and buildings were very well kept and the patients who were allowed onto the grounds were very well behaved (with a few minor exceptions).
There was a canteen with a patio area and tables with umbrellas that had the atmosphere of a sidewalk cafe. My brother and I looked forward to getting a treat there before going home on the bus. The bus ride was always interesting with the winding switchbacks on the road up the mountain. My mom, dad and brother are gone now but I still remember Sunday afternoons and the parklike scenery of Fort Roots. Some people might think my memories are bizarre, given the circumstances but we were poor and it was a nice diversion.
As a teenager, my friends and I would hike around the reservation and often hung out around the cliffs and trails overlooking the Arkansas river. We loved bicycling up the main road and coasting down at breakneck speeds to River road to fish and swim in the river. Yes, we were pretty dumb but somehow, we survived our dangerous antics.
Thanks for the opportunity to recount some things I haven’t thought about for many years.
Tom H (now living in New Hampshire)