The city turned a parking lot into a park in the early 1990’s after a local grocery store had closed.  The park went unnamed until 2001.

That year, it was named in honor of Simon’s Grocery & Bakery and the Simon family who owned and operated the store for over 52 years on Front Street.  Brothers George and Fritz Simon, along with other family members and employees, helped make the store a special part of downtown Conway from 1936 to 1989.  The store was located just across the street from where this park now sits.

Additionally, the covered band shell was named the Kris Allen Stage in October 2009.  Allen was a Conway resident and a former University of Central Arkansas student when he won the 8th season of American Idol in May 2009.  Allen had performed on the stage as part of his American Idol homecoming parade before being crowned the winner.