Walton Family Foundation announces plans for new 55-acre Osage Park in NWA

Birds eye-view of the new Osage Park

Rendering: Courtesy, Walton Family Foundation

A new adventure park is coming soon to Northwest Arkansas.

Walton Family Foundation officials on Wednesday announced plans for the new outdoor facility, called Osage Park, to be constructed on 55 acres on I Street near Thaden Field in Bentonville.

The park will include a six-acre expansion of the current lake for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and paddle-boarding, along with a multi-purpose lawn, an aviation-themed playground, pickleball courts, multi-use trails, floating boardwalks along the 12-acre wet-land system, an open pavilion, music venue, and parking.

The music venue area of the pavilion will be primarily used for intimate live music experiences, along with small theatre, and other performances.

The amphitheater and stage will offer a gathering place and an intimate, small-scale performing arts space.

Rendering: Courtesy, Walton Family Foundation

The themes of the park, according to the website, will be around aviation, art and preservation.

“Osage Park will deliver a unique outdoor experience for visitors by creating a gathering place near Thaden Field and Lake Bentonville Park,” said Steuart Walton. “Our community’s environment also stands to benefit as the park will preserve additional green space and improve water quality in the Illinois River Watershed.”

Plans show Osage Park connecting to Lake Bentonville Park, which is currently in the process of being renovated. That park will also include an expanded lake, a playground, pavilion, boardwalks, and fishing piers.

Floating boardwalks will offer a first-hand look of the park’s 12-acre wetland system.

Rendering: Courtesy, Walton Family Foundation

“The renovation of Lake Bentonville, when paired with the seamless connection to the new Osage Park, will prove more than the traditional park opening,” said David Wright, director of pakrs and recreation for the City of Bentonville. “These next-generation parks will provide our citizens public spaces that will have an immediate impact on our community. From preserving wetlands to providing areas for social and passive recreation, Osage Park and Lake Bentonville will offer something everyone can enjoy.”

Both the Osage Park and improvements to Lake Bentonville Park are being supported by the Walton Family Foundation.

If all goes well, portions of the new Osage Park will be open to the public next summer.