Railyard: A colorful family park in Arkansas

A public space designed by Ross Barney Architects has opened in the city of Rogers — a park on the site of a former railway station.

Evgeny Ionov

A public park has appeared on the railway line passing through the city of Rogers in Arkansas. Its authors — the Chicago firm Ross Barney Architects — named the place Railyard, which means “Railway station” in English.

Ross Barney Architects

The project was funded by the Sam Walton Foundation, the founder of Walmart, who opened his first store here in 1962. But before starting to create the park, the authors conducted a digital survey among residents, which made it clear that there are not enough places for walking and sports in the city.

Ross Barney Architects

As a result, the authors managed to implement several original architectural, landscape and artistic ideas at once. On the territory of 20,000 m2 there are brightly painted playgrounds with many tunnels, canopies in the form of sails, moving benches and picnic tables, as well as a stage for cultural events, accommodating up to 1,000 people.

Ross Barney Architects

Special attention in the park is attracted by water towers, which were once used to refuel train tanks, and now have turned into real works of art.

Ross Barney Architects

Photo: Ross Barney Architects

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