Osage Park part of Bentonville corner growth

BENTONVILLE — The corner of Southwest I and Southwest 14th streets is one step closer to becoming an area of outdoor activity as the Planning Commission approved plans for Osage Park on Tuesday.

The 55-acre park is also a preservation project spearheaded by the Walton Family Foundation.

“Really, it’s a park that celebrates nature and the prairies, wetlands that are out there,” said Brahm Driver, civil engineer with Ecological Design Group, who is working on the project.

Most of the land will remain natural. There will be boardwalks for people to venture through the ecosystem, Driver said.

The project includes expanding the 9-acre lake by 7 acres north. The area northeast on the site will have an aviation-themed playground, picnic area, hammock yard, music venue, multi-purpose lawns and a pavilion with restrooms.

A dog play area will be south of those amenities next to an area plans have marked for “future development.”

The commission unanimously approved two plans and a permit for the project, which is north of the municipal airport.

Two plans were needed as the parts of the land have different owners. Bentonville Parks and Recreation Fund owns the land north of Lake Bentonville while the city owns about 7 acres between Southwest I Street and the airport’s runway.

Bentonville Parks and Recreation Fund has P.O. 1860 listed as its address. It’s the same address as Walton Enterprises.

The acres north of Lake Bentonville Park will remain private property but be open to the public, similar to Compton Gardens, the land of which is owned by the Peel House Foundation, David Wright, Parks and Recreation director, has explained.

The work done at the cityowned Lake Bentonville Park will include a new playground, new parking, a pavilion, a concrete multi-use trail and boardwalk, according to development plans.

The part on city-owned property is called Osage Park at Lake Bentonville.

There will also be several fishing platforms around the expanded lake.

The permit is to allow an outdoor recreational facilities on land zoned agricultural. It was initially supposed to be renewed each year, but Scott Eccleston, commissioner, asked if that was necessary and recommended it be given in perpetuity.

The other commissioners agreed.

“I don’t think there will be an issue,” said Jim Grider, commissioner.

Development of the park is only the latest of several projects underway along Southwest 14th and Southwest I streets.

Bentonville Brewing Company and Climb Bentonville, an indoor climbing gym, will be northwest of Osage Park. The new flight center at the municipal airport is under construction just south of Osage Park at Lake Bentonville.