EcologicalDesignGroup

COLER is a holistic environment for everyone in today’s quickly developing world. This spring-fed valley became a homestead during the early 20th century. With the introduction of cattle damming, the creek created a pond. This pushed the native ecosystem to the fringes of the valley, not accessible for grazing. Development was inevitable, and a delicate transformation was necessary. This transformation would need to allow visitors while preserving and restoring its original ecology. A trail acts like a ribbon on the valley floor transporting the public while seamlessly interacting with the stream. From stream restoration practices to ecological restoration of the meadows, all life in COLER intertwines in a harmonious way.

COLER is encompassed by a pristine 500-acre valley within the Ozark Mountain ecoregion just west of downtown Bentonville, Arkansas. An area of Northwest Arkansas that has seen incredible growth over the past handful of years. In the wake of that growth, urbanization has also begun to consume one of Arkansas’ most beautiful regions. The development of COLER has played a considerable role in balancing this process by creating a natural place for people to enjoy just a mile outside of the city of Bentonville.

Our team conceptualized a system of multi-purpose and mountain bike trails that are expertly woven through the landscape, floating like a ribbon in the woods. These trails cross the stream six separate times in order to preserve the natural landscape while simultaneously immersing the visitors in the environment that seeks to embrace them. The Landscape Architect was responsible for orchestrating the narrative and crafting the design strategy for combing the public, incorporating mountain bike trails, and preservation of the ecology of the system.

The Landscape Architect prepared construction drawings and performed construction administration throughout the entirety of the project. Of course, close collaboration with other design professionals was integral to the success of the project.

Before any work started, we performed an ecological assessment to provide us with a comprehensive list of native plants for restoration purposes. One of the projects we utilized this assessment for was repurposing the cattle pastures into pollinator meadows populated by plants native to that area.

Other notable parts of this project include the 22 campsites that blend into the landscape. With a minimalistic design that differs from other commercial camping, the campsite also has one of the few access points to the café. The Airship at The Homestead is only accessible by using one of the many multi-use or mountain bike trails, with the closest parking lot being less than a mile away.

Finally, the significance of eliminating all vehicular traffic from the park plays an enormous role in the unique nature of this project. This action helps protect and preserve the natural qualities of this valley for future generations.

COLER, Bentonville, Arkansas

Parks, Recreation & Open Space Design -

HONOR AWARD