NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) – A popular World War II era tank is about to be removed from a North Little Rock park.
The M60 Sherman Tank at Burns Park has been around for over 40 years. It is on loan to the Arkansas National Guard from the Tank and Automotive Command.
"I went here when I was growing up and now I get to take the kids I nanny here,” Tori Alan Allred said.
It is safe to say this WWII era tank is a symbol to North Little Rock. Director of Parks Terry Hartwick said he always sees kids playing on it.
"I think most people can say ‘meet me at the tank,’” Hartwick said.
But the tank is about to be taken away, and Hartwick is fighting to keep it in place.
"I guess it's just one of these mainstays that's been in our park for so many years and now they're going to try and take it and put it on a base,” he said.
Hartwick said he is urging others to also try and keep it at Burns Park.
“I have called the governor’s office. I’m reaching out to Senator Cotton and Congressman French Hill to see if maybe there’s a shortcut they can answer for me,” he said.
Major William Phillips said the National Guard has to remove it because it needs to be touched up. It has not been maintained for almost 40 years.
"There's required maintenance that has to be done every so often. It's extensive. So what we're going to have to do is bring that back to Camp Robinson and get it in to the maintenance cycle,” Maj. Phillips said.
Maj. Phillips said it needs touch ups so it is safer to be around.
"Making sure there are no edges that are going to harm someone if they get close to it,” he said.
But the maintenance work could take a while.
"Because we care so much about our community partners we're working on trying to find a replacement for the item,” Maj. Phillips said.
Hartwick said he understands the maintenance needed.
"It's just one last thing that kids can play on and maybe attach to,” Hartwick said.
But for now, all we can say is "tanks....for the memories."
"I really want to say that this means a lot to a lot of kids and I know this is like one of the highlights of one of their summer is to come out here and play on this. I think it'd mean a lot if it could stay here,” Tori Alan Allred said.
Maj. Phillips said it is unclear when the tank will be removed from Burns Park.
It is working to find a replacement that will proudly represent the National Guard in its place.