INVITING, MEMORABLE, CHALLENGING, BEAUTIFUL, AND AUTHENTIC
RAILYARD PARK IN ROGERS, ARKANSAS
With a grant from the Walton Family Foundation, the City of Rogers, Arkansas embarked on a project to recenter their downtown with a new park that enhances economic development, spurs placemaking, and improves connectivity. Situated on the east boundary of Rogers’ historic downtown district, the new park designed by Ross Barney Architects has the potential to capitalize on recent public space investments and help to make downtown Rogers a regional destination. Rogers, as a city, has been defined both economically and physically by the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad (Frisco). The railroad created a strong dividing line in the center of downtown. As industry shifted so too did the spaces that facilitated train operation: the depot was demolished, and loading/unloading space was no longer needed. Situated on the eastern boundary of Rogers’ historic down town district, the new park is a connection between busi
Location Rogers, Arkansas, USA Client / operator City of Rogers, Arkansas, USA 38
ness and recreation. The park’s design ignores the rail as a bar rier and blends the east and west together. The result is a series of plazas that transform throughout the day, week, month, and year. These versatile and flexible spaces create a new and distinct rhythm that extends beyond the park into adjacent streets. The densely vegetated and programmed spaces help creating unique experiences throughout the park and frame this piece of downtown as the new center instead of the edge.
Architects Ross Barney Architects www.r-barc.com Author Ross Barney Architects Photos Kate Joyce Studios
Official opening 2021 Construction costs EUR 11 million sb 6/2023
