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 downtown district, the new park is a connection between busi­ ness and recreation. The park’s design ignores the rail as a barrier 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.r­barc.com

Author Ross Barney Architects

Photos Kate Joyce Studios

Official opening 2021

Construction costs EUR 11 million

„I want Frisco Park to …“

The project deployed a robust community engagement strategy. Attendees at an initial Open House were asked to identify with a colored dot where they lived, worked, and played. 70% of those who attended lived within a two­mile radius of the park. The project utilized a vigorous community outreach effort, which helped build a sense of ownership and pride from city staff and residents. Through a digital survey that collected over 1,000 responses and in­person charrettes, the design team helped define the park’s desired outcomes and objectives through the words of the community. This shared vision resulted in five priorities: Inviting, memorable, challenging, beautiful, and authentic.

Following an intense data gathering period, the design team developed four dramatically different approaches that programmed the disparate parcels of land into a cohesive urban park. The selected design accentuates the narrow land through forced vistas on the east and accommodates larger programs on the west.

Industrial relics reborn as a water feature

Each space takes on a unique identity as an urban room: Frisco Plaza, Water Stop, Playard, and the Butterfield Stage.

The Water Stop pays homage to the history of Rogers as a location for steam locomotives to refill. These revisioned towers feature interactive water installations that help park-goers cool off during Arkansas’ hot summer days. The towers as functional relics turned billboards feature murals by the Mexico City­ born, Fayetteville ­ based Octavio Logo, French street artist Mantra, and London ­ based Lakwena.

The Butterfield Stage is an outdoor music/event venue. Constructed partially from a refurbished auto mechanic garage, the pavilion features a shade canopy, green room, food and beverage space, and a lawn for listening to local musicians or watching movies.

Frisco Plaza harkens back to the park’s initial name and much smaller iteration. Here a paved plaza offers versatility for pop ­ up events and the annual farmers’ market. Steel tracks with movable furniture traverse the plaza; as a group size grows – roll up another bench.

This new civic asset has been met with celebration and embrace from neighbors and residents across Northwest Arkansas.

Location

Yuan Fen Village, Shenzhen, China

Client / operator

Yuan Fen Village, Shenzhen, China

Architects ATMOperation

Author ATMOperation

Photos ACF & ATMOperation

Official opening

April 2021

Construction costs RMB 700,000 (EUR 90,000)