Luther George Park

CLIENT

Downtown Springdale Alliance; City of Springdale

LOCATION

Springdale, Arkansas

YEAR

Expected Completion 2024

Perspective rendering of performance pavilion nestled in lush green field of grass, dense backdrop of towering trees, people gather under the pavilion, sitting on the grass, enjoying park's serene atmosphere.

Credit:

Eleven Visualisation

Bird's eye perspective rendering of park development plan showcasing a centrally located performance pavilion, a main park path leading to an existing creek, a meandering path, newly designed playground, integrated into park's landscape.

Perspective rendering at sundown of outdoor movie screening at performance pavilion, a large crowd of people gathered on the lawn under the open sky.

A perspective rendering of tree-lined central park path with cafe tables on both sides, people sit and enjoy the serene atmosphere, with performance pavilion in the background.

Perspective rendering of tiered steps leading down to existing creek, with tall grasses at each tier, a pedestrian bridge spanning across water, preserves and maintaining naturalized creek edge.

Sunrise perspective rendering of performance pavilion nestled in lush green field and under open sky with swooping path cutting through grass field.

Sunset perspective rendering of concert at performance pavilion in the background, people gathered in front of pavilion sitting and standing in grass field.

Partners

Trahan Architects

Olsson

Spectrum Design Consultants

Threshold Acoustics

Schuler Shook

Awards

2021 AIA New Orleans Merit Award for Un-Built Architecture

SMM was commissioned by the Downtown Springdale Alliance, which received a grant from the Walton Family Foundation in conjunction with their Design Excellence Program, to jump-start implementation of its downtown master plan with the expansion and renovation of Luther George Park. The park is part of the city’s larger plan to create vibrant public spaces and plazas, with the flexibility to support public art, performing arts and seasonal outdoor markets. t

Original black and white hand sketch site plan of Luther George Park.

Original sketch of Luther George Park renovation and expansion design.

SMM’s design is for a park that includes everyone, art, music, events, nature and play and connections to the 36-mile Razorback Regional Greenway, downtown and neighborhoods. Set along Spring Creek in downtown Springdale, Arkansas the 14-acre park fosters healthy community engagement by providing a sustainable venue for recreation, play and outdoor performances. The park draws its inspiration from the native landscapes of Arkansas and the cultural richness of the local community. The establishment of over 200 new trees in the park is built on the native ecosystems of the region and will provide shade for the community and habitat for local wildlife.

The park holds an open air stage at its center for music and programs, with the stage structure also attracting guests as it will stand on its own as an art piece. The Performance Pavilion is located on the park’s central axis – the dynamic form twists and straddles the pathway to form an inviting gateway into the park. Fronting the great lawn, the pavilion will host performances of up to 3,000 people. The shell leans back toward the earth fronting the small lawn which enables small events like movie night in the park to occur for 50-100 people. This innovative dual-sided arrangement is achieved by integrating the performance power and theatrical rigging into the shell – allowing for a myriad of flexible uses.

Video Credit:

Eleven Visualisation

Youth members of Springdale community painting a tile that represents their vision for Luther George Park.

Youth members of the Springdale community participate in painting a tile that represents their vision for Luther George Park.

Credit:

Meredith Mashburn

Members of the community attended public workshop and place sticker on images of possible park additions they would like to see.

Public workshop attendees place a sticker on images of possible park additions that they would like to see.

Credit:

Meredith Mashburn

As part of the pre-design community engagement process, the design team planned several interactive events. Both students and adults created art tiles with their visions. Others wrote their ideas on a poster board set up and viewed a gallery of common park photos and marked their favorites. On the community’s wish list were places for walking, biking and splashing; connections to downtown and to the Razorback Greenway, as well as spots to disconnect; places to meet, places to play; opportunities to enjoy art and opportunities to create art.

Ten painted tiles from community members displayed on wall at community meeting, illustrating visions of nature and outdoor activities for the park.

Art collages created by community members during the public workshop representing their visions for Luther George Park.

Credit:

Meredith Mashburn

Photograph of panel filled with sticky notes from community, providing feedback of visions for what the park could be.

An interactive "Doodle" activity, in both English and Spanish, engaging community members to answer questions about how they use the park now and what it could be in the future.

Credit:

Meredith Mashburn

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