Fayetteville’s Lower Ramble becomes first SITES-certified project in Arkansas

Peter Nierengarten (center), the city’s environmental director, discusses construction techniques and building materials used on the Lower Ramble project on an elevated trail in the Fay Jones Woods on May 4, 2022. (Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer)

Fayetteville’s Lower Ramble has become the first project in Arkansas to be certified by the Sustainable SITES Initiative.

The project scored 95 points for a silver level in the SITES rating system, which evaluates a project’s sustainability in planning, design, construction, and management of landscapes and outdoor spaces.

The 50-acre outdoor public space, which officially opened in September, features the Fay Jones Woods, an upgraded section of the Razorback Greenway, and the Tanglewood Branch Creek and Tanglewood Lawn. The Upper Ramble, which is the northern half of The Ramble, is currently under development.

The project also received the Grand Conceptor Award and the Special Project award from the Arkansas chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies.

“We are honored to be recognized by SITES and presented these ACEC awards,” said Peter Nierengarten, the city’s environmental director. “They affirm and distinguish Fayetteville’s dedication to sustainable, beautiful and functional public landscapes.”

The awards were presented to the city by ACEC during a ceremony held on March 9 in Little Rock.


(Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer)
(Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer)
(Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer)