Outdoor experience incorporates art, architecture, nature, and wellness
Rendering courtesy of Studio Bryan Hanes.
Download high-resolution images.
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — On October 9, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art celebrated the groundbreaking of its newest outdoor experience, Ozark Discovery Canopy, a science, art, and nature-based playscape designed for all ages.
Set in a wooded ravine between the museum and the Campus Parking Plaza, the playscape is designed to incorporate Crystal Bridges’ core pillars of art, architecture, nature, and wellness. It will create a sensory-rich experience for families and visitors to come together in nature. Museum leaders, community partners, and staff gathered Thursday afternoon to celebrate the beginning of construction on what will become a multi-generational space for outdoor exploration, creativity, and connection.
“Ozark Discovery Canopy is a bold step forward in our commitment to connecting people with art, nature, and one another,” said Rod Bigelow, executive director of Crystal Bridges. “By blending creativity, exploration, and the natural beauty of the Ozarks, we’re creating a space where visitors of all ages can experience the joy of discovery and the healing power of the outdoors together.”
Designed by Bryan Hanes of architectural firm Studio Bryan Hanes, Ozark Discovery Canopy will feature elements that engage all the senses. Visitors will be able to splash and explore in a flowing water feature and creek, interact with a large, rotating boulder, lounge on oversized swings, race down a wide, family-sized slide, and more.
“Our goal was to design a space that sparks curiosity and invites people to engage with nature in a joyful, hands-on way,” said Hanes. “Every feature of Ozark Discovery Canopy is drawn from the rich landscapes of the Ozark Mountains and Northwest Arkansas. The design tells a story, one shaped by the movement of water and the beauty it leaves behind.”
The playscape will be built along a portion of the trail system near the museum’s North Forest, connecting Crystal Bridges to the Campus Parking Plaza and Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Ozark Discovery Canopy was developed with valuable insight from the Scott Family Amazeum, whose expertise in imaginative play helped shape the vision for the playscape.
Construction is officially underway, and visitors can observe progress from a temporary viewing platform near the Campus Parking Plaza. Ozark Discovery Canopy is set to open in 2026.
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.
###
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 Museum of American Art
The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art 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 14 million visitors across its spaces, with no cost for admission. Crystal Bridges was founded in 2005 as a non-profit charitable organization by arts patron and philanthropist, Alice Walton. The collection spans five centuries of American masterworks from early American to current day and is enhanced by temporary exhibitions. The museum is nestled on 134 acres of Ozark landscape and was designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie. A rare Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house was preserved and relocated to the museum grounds in 2015. Home of the prestigious Don Tyson Prize for the Advancement of American Art and Tyson Scholars of American Art Program, Crystal Bridges offers public programs including lectures, performances, classes, and teacher development opportunities. Some 478,375 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), conceived as a platform for the art, food, and music of our time. In 2026, Crystal Bridges will complete a 114,000 square foot expansion that will allow 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 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