Pathways Next Step In Bentonville's Legacy Orchards

Monday, July 28, 2014

BENTONVILLE -- Legacy Orchards soon will get pathways after the City Council approved $68,985 for the project last week.

Diamond C. Construction was awarded the bid.

The pathways will be similar to the natural pathways at Crystal Bridges. The crushed stone is granular and compacts into a more solid feel over time, said David Wright, parks and recreation director.

"It looks natural. It fits in really well with the natural environment," he said.

Legacy Orchards is located at the southern most part of Orchards Park and has 180 legacy sugar maple trees, according to meeting documents. The first 90 trees were planted in 2013. The other 90 trees were planted this spring.

The pathways will make a grid and form a box around each tree in the orchard, Wright said.

The pathways will be different than a trail. Trails are typically 10 feet wide, made of concrete or asphalt and have a linear path, Wright said. These pathways will be 3 to 4 feet wide, they're not built of concrete or asphalt and they don't take users anywhere other than around the orchard.

Though this project is being built today, it will come to fruition after the now-infant trees are grown in about a decade, Wright said.

"In 10 years, you'll be able to walk through this orchard, and you'll be covered in shade," he said.

The legacy sugar maple trees were chosen for their orange color that will draw people to the orchards, said Scott Eccleston, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board chairman. Eventually, there will be a brick entrance to signify to people that they're entering a special place, he said.

Legacy Orchards was the brainchild of Eccleston and Shane Perry, former city alderman and Parks and Recreation Board member, Eccleston said.

It will be a place where the "heroes of parks and rec" will be recognized with plaques inscribed their names and descriptions of service to the department, he said. The Parks and Recreation Board will take nominations and select a few individuals each year to be recognized. The plaques will be placed near trees.

"We just wanted to do something that captures the spirit of people who have given their time," Eccleston said.

There was $77,800 allotted in the 2014 budget for the project, according to meeting documents.

Work on the pathways should begin in late August. The 60-day job should be done by Oct. 31, according to the documents.

NW News on 07/28/2014