LITTLE ROCK — ONCE UPON a time, in a land far away, when the Clinton Library was still under construction and the River Market still a growing experiment, we got a tour of the library-excuse us, park-under construction. The most memorable part of the tour happened at the end: the end of the tour and of the building. We were hanging off the north deck of the rising structure and staring at the trees and brush that fronted the river bank.
Out from behind a big bush hopped a red fox. Then another. A family of foxes lived in that brush near the river. We dearly hoped they'd make it to the grand opening-and beyond.
The other day, we met a Clinton fan of the Hillary! persuasion for lunch at Cafe 42, which is the cafeteria in the library. We sat at a table that faced the north end, toward the river. The trees and brush were still there, green and lush in the mid-day rain. We looked for the foxes. We didn't see any, but it looked as if their hideout was still safe. It was a beautiful view. Our friend provided the foreground but it was the background that mesmerized. Nature has a way of drawing you in. Especially here in the Natural State.
So when word arrived that Little Rock's riverfront would soon be home to-no, not another high-rise or beer house but a wetlands habitat . . . well, we chalked one up for the foxes. And for all of us.
The planned wetlands look positively unplanned, which is a great achievement. It's hard to improve on Ma Nature, certainly in these parts. Except for the well laid-out walking trails, this little piece of natural heaven smack-dab in downtown Little Rock looks like it'll be, well, a little piece of natural heaven.
What a great way to teach the kids about critters and wildlife and the world beyond their PlayStations and TV sets. Not to mention a great place to get away from it all. Is anything more soothing than walking through a place where man hasn't left his mark, or at least has had the grace to make his touch subtle?
We can thank the Clinton Foundation, including William Jefferson Clinton himself, and the family of the late William E. Clark for the coming William E. Clark Presidential Park Wetlands Project.
"We have to teach the entire world how things are built and how nature works," Mr. Clinton said, always in didactive/ imperative mode. As for us, heck, we're just excited about strolling through the place during a long break to look for the herons, bobcats, bats and who-knowswhat other critters may abound there. This is Arkansas. We've got the critters. And we'd like to keep 'em around.
Not a dime of city or state money will be spent on this public oasis. The $2 million to create the 13-acre wetlands park-which will stretch between the Clinton library/ park/shrine and Interstate 30-is to come from a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and private gifts. Thank you, U.S. taxpayer. We plan to freeload often.
You know what we like best about this plan? Well, second best, after the walking and soothing part and its not being too much of a plan. What we like best is what this wetland sanctuary says about downtown Little Rock: That maybe it will have more to offer than just bars for the college crowd and the pied a terre crowd.
A wetlands park in the heart of the Natural State's capital city? It's, yes, a natural. Perfect. We're getting there, Little Rock.
Editorial, Pages 12 on 10/29/2007