Ozark Discovery Canopy opens on the Crystal Bridges Campus

Download press kit.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — On October 12, Crystal Bridges celebrated the official opening of the Ozark Discovery Canopy with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Located between the Campus Parking Plaza and Crystal Bridges, the new playscape brings together science, art and nature in an immersive outdoor experience designed for visitors of all ages.

Designed to reflect Crystal Bridges' core pillars of art, architecture, nature, education and wellness, Ozark Discovery Canopy invites visitors to explore, create and connect through hands-on play inspired by the Ozarks. The new outdoor destination offers families and guests of all ages a place to slow down, discover and experience nature in new and meaningful ways.

"Ozark Discovery Canopy reflects the very best of what Crystal Bridges seeks to offer our community: meaningful experiences that bring together art, nature, learning and connection," said Rod Bigelow, executive director of Crystal Bridges. "As our campus continues to grow, we're excited to create new opportunities for families and visitors of all ages to play, learn and connect with the beauty of the Ozarks."

Ozark Discovery Canopy features elements that engage all the senses. Visitors can splash and explore in a flowing water feature and creek, interact with a large, rotating boulder, lounge on oversized hanging benches, race down a wide, family-sized slide, and more. Envisioned as a place where curiosity and exploration thrive, the space features high and low climbing nets alongside hands-on STEM experiences, including a fog room, ball run, whispering dishes, and forest amplifiers that connect visitors to the surrounding natural environment. Visitors will also encounter notable works of art, including Tom Otterness's Large Bear and Wendell Castle's Wandering Mountain, seamlessly blending play, discovery, art and nature.

Designed by Studio Bryan Hanes, Ozark Discovery Canopy is located along the museum's trail system near the North Forest, creating a connection between Crystal Bridges, the Campus Parking Plaza and Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Developed in collaboration with insight from the Scott Family Amazeum, the playscape reflects the museum's vision for inspiring curiosity through art, science, nature and imaginative play.

“From the beginning, this project has felt like a natural extension of the relationship between the Amazeum and Crystal Bridges,” said Sam Dean, chief executive officer of the Scott Family Amazeum. “We both believe in creating experiences that invite people to be curious, explore and connect with the world around them.”

Ozark Discovery Canopy is open seven days a week from dawn until dusk. For more information, please visit crystalbridges.org.

Acknowledgements

Ozark Discovery Canopy is made possible by Kroenke Family Foundation with support from Alice L. Walton Foundation, the McMillon Family, and the Walton Family Foundation, in collaboration with the Scott Family Amazeum.

Image Credit: Ozark Discovery Canopy courtesy Crystal Bridges.

About Crystal Bridges

The mission of Crystal Bridges is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Since opening in 2011, the museum has welcomed more than 15 million visitors across its spaces, with no cost for admission. Crystal Bridges was founded in 2005 as a public 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization by philanthropist Alice Walton. The museum’s expansive collection spans five centuries of American masterworks from early American to current day and is enhanced by temporary exhibitions and five miles of trails featuring public art installations from prominent artists.

The museum is nestled on 134 acres of Ozark landscape and was designed by the world-renowned Safdie Architects. A rare Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house was preserved and relocated to the museum grounds in 2015. Crystal Bridges offers public programs including lectures, performances, classes, and teacher development opportunities, and is the home of the prestigious Don Tyson Prize for the Advancement of American Art and Tyson Scholars of American Art Program. Some 558,375 school children have participated in the Willard and Pat Walker School Visit program, which provides educational experiences for school groups at no cost to the schools.

Additional museum amenities include a restaurant, gift store, library, and five miles of art and walking trails. In February 2020, the museum opened the Momentary in Downtown Bentonville (507 SE E Street), a venue for the music, art, and food of our time. Crystal Bridges’ 114,000 square foot expansion opened to the public June 6 and 7, 2026, allowing the museum to expand access for all. For more information, visit CrystalBridges.org. The museum is located at 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712.

About Studio Bryan Hanes

Founded in 2008, Studio Bryan Hanes is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with additional presence in Bentonville. The studio has led the design of civic spaces locally and nationally. Our designs emphasize clarity, thoughtful detailing, and lasting materials, forming the foundation for a public realm. We design environments where people raise children, meet friends and partners, express joy, and participate in culture and the natural world.

About Crystal Bridges Campus

Crystal Bridges Campus in Bentonville, Arkansas features 134 acres dedicated to art and wellness. It is home to three landmark institutions designed by acclaimed architecture firms: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (Safdie Architects), Heartland Whole Health Institute (Marlon Blackwell Architects), and Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects). Envisioned by founder and philanthropist Alice Walton, the campus unites art, architecture, nature, education, and wellness to create transformative experiences that foster learning and enhance health and well-being. More than five miles of trails connect the iconic buildings, featuring art installations both inside and outside. The campus terrain varies from Ozark forest to display gardens, and includes streams, ponds, and Crystal Springs. In 2024, the campus received Arboretum accreditation. The campus is open daily from dawn to dusk. Additionally, the Momentary, an extension of Crystal Bridges, is located 1 mile south of campus.

Media Contact

media@crystalbridges.org