Dickey-Stephens Park

Dickey-Stephens Park opened in 2007 on the banks of the Arkansas River in North Little Rock, providing the Arkansas Travelers with a waterfront ballpark that transformed the franchise's fortunes and the city's riverfront landscape. The 7,200-seat stadium replaced Ray Winder Field, which had served Little Rock baseball since 1932. The new ballpark, named for the Dickey and Stephens families who have been prominent in Arkansas business and civic life, was positioned to take advantage of the river views that the old facility's inland location could not offer.

The ballpark's design leverages its riverside setting to maximum effect. The main seating bowl faces northeast across the Arkansas River toward the Little Rock skyline, and the state capitol dome is visible above the outfield wall — a backdrop that gives televised games a distinctive sense of place. The riverwalk that runs along the waterfront provides pedestrian access and connects the ballpark to broader trail systems and public spaces that have developed along the Arkansas River corridor.

The Arkansas Travelers' history stretches back to 1901, making them one of the oldest continuously operating franchises in minor league baseball. The Travelers have served as the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners since 2017, and Dickey-Stephens Park has hosted the development of prospects who went on to contribute in Seattle. The franchise's long history gives the Travelers a deep community connection that newer franchises take years to build, and the ballpark provides a modern setting for traditions that span more than a century.

Dickey-Stephens Park has been credited with catalyzing development along North Little Rock's riverfront, an area that was largely undeveloped before the ballpark's arrival. Hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues have followed, creating a riverfront district that draws visitors year-round. The ballpark hosts college baseball events, concerts, and community gatherings beyond the Travelers' schedule, functioning as a civic asset that generates value well beyond the baseball season.