<p>Crafton Tull provided planning services to produce cost estimates and a phasing schedule to guide the implementation of park fields and amenities. We are currently in the design process for the park.</p>
<p>The phased project includes a themed park entrance, an inclusive playground, sports lighting, scoreboards, batting cages, additional parking, a maintenance building, concessions, restrooms, and landscaping. Phasing allows for construction between sporting seasons.</p>
<p>Crafton Tull will provide all surveying, master planning, field design, parking, and circulation design, utility and drainage design, landscape architecture, and architecture for the park buildings. We will assist the city with construction administration as the park is built.</p>

Learn about Crafton Tull's work on Phillips Park Master Plan Phasing + Design.

Crafton Tull | Phillips Park Master Plan Phasing + Design

[X] Phillips Park MP Phasing + Design

Education

ASLA

<p>Barry R. Williams is originally from Jackson, MS and graduated from the Mississippi State University Department of Landscape Architecture in 1992 where he earned his Bachelor&rsquo;s degree. He has been a registered landscape architect for the past 20 years in the state of Arkansas, and 15 of those 20 years he has been employed by civil engineering firms with a focus on land development.</p>
<p>Over his career Barry has served on the Arkansas State Board of Architects and Landscape Architects. He is a past president of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, a graduate of the Faulkner County Leadership Institute, a past the chairman of the Conway Tree Board, and was elected to two terms as Justice of the Peace for Faulkner County serving on the Quorum Court. During his public service on the Faulkner County Quorum Court, he was a member of the Roads and Infrastructure Committee where he began leading the charge for the development of new roadway standards for development in the County.</p>
<p>He has been a member of Conway&rsquo;s First Baptist for the past 17 years serving on the Building Committee and as a vocalist with the Praise and Worship Team.&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>FUN FACT</strong></h3>
<p>At his first job out of school, Barry helped train attack dogs that guarded a nursery and garden center in Little Rock.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div class="awards-section">
<h6>Alabama Society of Professional Engineers</h6>
<p>2009 Young Engineer of Year</p>
<h6>American Council of Engineering Companies of Arkansas</h6>
<p>2016 Grand Conceptor Award</p>
<h6>Alabama Society of Professional Engineers</h6>
<p>2012-2013 State Director</p>
<h6>National Society of Professional Engineers</h6>
<p>2015-2016 Chapter President</p>
</div>

Learn more about Barry Williams and his role and experience at Crafton Tull.

Crafton Tull | Barry Williams

<p>Barry R. Williams is originally from Jackson, MS, and he is a registered landscape architect in the state of Arkansas.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Throughout his career, Barry has served on the Arkansas State Board of Architects and Landscape Architects. He is a past president of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, a graduate of the Faulkner County Leadership Institute, a past chairman of the Conway Tree Board, and he was elected to two terms as Justice of the Peace for Faulkner County serving on the Quorum Court. During his public service on the Faulkner County Quorum Court, he was a member of the Roads and Infrastructure Committee, where he began leading the charge for the development of new roadway standards in the county.</p>
<p>Barry now lives in Rogers with his wife after relocating from Conway and is active the local community.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Parks and recreation departments provide <a href="https://www.nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/nrpa.org/Advocacy/Resources/Parks-Recreation-Essential-Public-Services-January-2010.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">essential public services</a>, but funding constraints prevent many from adding more beneficial programs. Most local departments rely on tax-based revenue from general funds. Non-tax revenue generated from fees, permits, sponsorships, and donations is often a smaller but vital funding source. Amenities that incorporate cost-recovery features, such as user fees, can help parks and recreation departments enrich and sustain recreational offerings without creating a budget shortfall.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="ArrowButton_blueArrow__UtOI3 ">
<p>It is essential to recognize that each local government is different, and therefore cost-recovery policies should incorporate a community's unique values. For example, if there is consensus that a program substantially benefits the community as a whole, a department may be less inclined to collect fees. On the other hand, a department may collect fees for an amenity that primarily benefits individuals, such as campsite rentals or classes. Some departments formally adopt <a href="https://slocountyparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/County-of-SLO-Cost-Recovery-Methodology-Final-Report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cost recovery policies</a> to address these issues transparently. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Most departments generate non-tax revenue from facility rentals and concessions. However, some cities are seeing success with creative, less common amenities.</p>
<p><strong>The following is a list of out-of-the-box ideas that your department might consider implementing.</strong></p>
</div>

test

<h2>Dog park lectures from local experts</h2>
<p>It's no secret that the number of dog parks is rising across the country. While most cities with dog parks do not collect user fees, some departments provide special on-site programming and charge a sign-up fee. Cities can invite local canine experts to host sessions on topics including behavior training, dog park etiquette, skills course activities, and hiking. This programming can help both dogs and dog owners feel more comfortable at the park, while enhancing safety, and encouraging healthy, active lifestyles.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/creative_park_amenities/dogpark.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="533" /></p>

<div class="row customLists">
<h2>Food truck courts</h2>
</div>
<p>Because of the rising popularity of food trucks, food truck courts are <a href="https://blog.cheapism.com/food-truck-parks/">becoming more common</a>. Food truck courts allow parks departments to provide park visitors with locally sourced refreshment options without the high operating cost of a concession stand. Cities can rent food truck bays to private operators on an annual or a short-term basis. The bays typically include electricity, water, seating, and trash receptacles at a minimum. Offering rental space for food trucks can be an excellent option for cities with a strong food truck presence. Some ideal locations for food truck courts include splash pads, playgrounds, ball fields, and trailheads. Food trucks can even operate alongside traditional concession stands during popular events.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/creative_park_amenities/gateway-park-rendering.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="533" /></p>

<h2>Ecological tours</h2>
<p>Many parks departments own vacant land containing wetlands and ecologically sensitive areas. While it is likely not appropriate to charge a use fee to access these valuable assets, there may be community interest in paid ecological tours hosted by local experts. Guided tours can teach participants about migrating waterfowl, native plants, fish, insects, amphibians, and other local wildlife. Wetland boardwalks provide an elevated walkway through these otherwise inaccessible areas with minimal environmental impact. Additionally, connecting these boardwalks to local trail systems can increase access and feasibility of such programming.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/creative_park_amenities/creativeparks.webp" alt="Creative parks" width="800" height="1067" /></p>

<h2>Pavilions and shade structures</h2>
<p>While pavilions and shade structures are not a new concept in parks, there are now sophisticated <a href="https://www.g2.com/categories/parks-and-recreation">online reservation systems</a> that simplify the process for both users and local governments. Some of these systems allow owners to adjust rental rates based on demand. A modern reservation system paired with shade structures placed in desirable locations can increase revenue for parks departments and provide a versatile amenity for the community.</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/creative_park_amenities/give-credit-city-of-batesville.jpeg" alt="Pavillion" width="800" height="600" /></p>

<h2>Amphitheaters</h2>
<p>A well-designed amphitheater can host concerts, plays, and other community events planned by parks and recreation departments. To help offset the cost of the facility, there may be opportunities for private rentals. Location is key to the viability of a city-owned amphitheater, and a smartly designed venue can pay for itself over time both directly through rental fees and indirectly through economic boosts to surrounding businesses. Architectural character, access, seating, and audio and visual technology are vital considerations for a venue capable of generating revenue.</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/creative_park_amenities/building-park.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="595" /></p>
<p>Aside from these revenue-generating options for municipalities, public grants can offer funding sources as well. These grants are often a viable funding source for local park improvement projects, especially those that involve trail and accessibility improvements. Many local governments rely on state-administered, federal-aid programs, such as the <a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/">Recreational Trails Program</a>, to bolster available funding for expansions and improvements to parks systems. Combining grants with any of these cost-recovery ideas can allow budget-constrained parks departments to better serve their communities through expanded and enriched offerings.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Creative Park Amenities with Cost Recovery Potential

Barry's Work

Learn about Crafton Tull's work on Runway Bike Park Pump Track.

Crafton Tull | Runway Bike Park Pump Track

Awards

P.E., LEED AP

Learn more about Daniel Ellis and his role and experience at Crafton Tull.

Crafton Tull | Daniel Ellis

<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Daniel is Senior Vice President of the&nbsp;</span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Civil Division</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;and manages the Rogers office of Crafton Tull. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Professional Engineers, the International Erosion Control Association, and he holds professional engineering licenses in two states and carries a LEED AP<sup>&reg;</sup> certification.</span></p>
<p>Daniel has managed civil engineering projects from retail developments to apartments to schools, roads, a football stadium, and a major hospital addition. His broad scope of knowledge in drainage projects gives clients confidence that the job will be done right. He works as quality control over Northwest Arkansas civil engineering and surveying projects.</p>

Daniel's Work

Learn about Crafton Tull's work on Shadow Valley Phase 10 + 11.

Crafton Tull | Shadow Valley Phase 10 + 11

Learn about Crafton Tull's work on NWACC Center for Health Professions.

Crafton Tull | NWACC Center for Health Professions

Learn more about Dave Roberts and his role and experience at Crafton Tull.

Crafton Tull | Dave Roberts

<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Dave is responsible for overseeing and contributing to site planning and urban design projects that include community redevelopment plans, corridor plans, campus master plans, parks &amp; recreation system plans, as well as bicycle &amp; pedestrian network plans. Dave often presents sessions at conferences in the Mid-South region on planning healthy communities, urban planning strategies, and the benefits of placemaking. His daily responsibilities also include administration of the marketing department and business development for the firm.</span></p>

<p>Walking is a relative term that means foot (or wheel) transportation. My teenage daughter uses a power wheelchair for mobility and her rolling fits under the category of walking. Often bike riding falls in line with walkability as well. Many urban and suburban dwellers have the benefit of utilizing bicycles as an option for commuting to work or to other amenities. Many think of cycling only in terms of recreation, and it can be, but a bicycle is also an alternative form of (active) transportation. While some communities are well-positioned for this influx in active transportation, others may not be.</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/walkability_score/walkabiltiy_pedestrian_safety.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="806" /></p>

<h2>Walkability</h2>
<p>Walkability is a planning term that measures an area&rsquo;s ease of connectivity via non-vehicular transportation. Walkability speaks to a location&rsquo;s walk score, which analyzes hundreds of&nbsp;routes to nearby amenities and produces a score based on those factors. In other words, walkability measures how friendly an area is to walking. Walkability factors include the presence or absence and quality of pedestrian facilities, amount of vehicular traffic and roadway conditions, surrounding land uses, accessibility, and user safety, among others. Sustainable urban design and walkability go hand in hand. A walk score helps us remember that streets are more than just a place for cars and trucks. A street is meant for all modes of transportation, and places with multiple mobility choices get higher walk scores. We should relish the process of transportation rather than trying to get somewhere as fast as possible. Ralph Waldo Emerson is purported to have said, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not the destination, it&rsquo;s the journey.&rdquo; Why not gain benefits from that journey? The outcomes of a good walk score are livability, which affects economic development, safety, health, environment, quality of life, and many other community benefits.</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/walkability_score/infrastructure_barriers.jpg" alt="" width="727" height="727" /></p>
<h6>Infrastructure barriers</h6>
<p>When things get back to normal, post-pandemic, what will we have learned from our walks? Will we realize that our legs and lungs are stronger from it, that our mind is clearer, and our perception of our neighborhood is now different? Alternatively, will we default back to our cars, forsaking this newly found joy that has been an important part of our daily routine? Life moves so fast when it&rsquo;s spent inside our glass and steel bubbles zipping from place to place. We often sacrifice so much for the sake of speed and convenience. Will we realize that our community&rsquo;s walk score is low because our communities have not fully embraced their transportation options? It is never too late to make changes to your town&rsquo;s built environment by adding options for active transportation. If infrastructure changes are needed, then a walkshop along with grants can help with planning, design, funding, and implementation.</p>

<h2>Walk score</h2>
<p>Does your community have a good walk score, or a poor one? What is the process a community takes to improve its walk score? Walk audits or Walkshops are a good first step (pun intended). Walkshops are interactive walking workshops with professional planners, community leaders, and advocates to develop placemaking concepts and solutions for alternative transportation (walking &amp; cycling) by analyzing an area&rsquo;s walkability, circulation, universal access, parking, safety, and sustainability. Often wayfinding, beautification, and community character improvements are also part of the inventory. Typically this occurs in a community&rsquo;s downtown or commercial area that is often surrounded by neighborhoods.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Have you ever visited a community&rsquo;s sleepy downtown and noticed it&rsquo;s in virtual hibernation as if the shops have not changed in decades, assuming there are many shops to visit? These downtowns often have a few open stores, maybe a restaurant or two, usually an insurance office, a bank, perhaps a florist, and plenty of empty storefronts. &nbsp;Typically, few cars are present and even less foot traffic on the sidewalks.&nbsp; What story does that tell a visitor to the area? Is it a story of growth, resilience, and expansion, or a tale of increased vacancy and decline? How does the infrastructure that supports the downtown contribute to that story? Are the crosswalks clearly marked, curb cuts present, and&nbsp;in appropriate locations? What&rsquo;s the quality of pavement on the downtown streets? Are there gateways into town and wayfinding to direct first-time visitors? Is the downtown walkable and does it support cycling as an alternative form of transportation?&nbsp;If so, is there a network in place that links your downtown to surrounding neighborhoods, parks, and schools?</p>
<p>I saw the downtown story of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, dramatically change in less than five years. Their &lsquo;Old Towne District&rsquo; was much like what is described above, with few cars and even fewer pedestrians frequenting only a handful of shops and one restaurant. It was off the beaten path (removed from I-55), seemingly a victim of big-box store displacement. The City brought in urban planners to help with a downtown master plan, and employed landscape architects and engineers to create streetscape plans that changed the district&rsquo;s focus from vehicular to more pedestrian. A few developers took a risk by adding some mixed-use, e.g., retail on the first floor and apartments on upper floors on one block, a new restaurant opened, and then a bike shop and in no time &ndash; everything changed. The key was the walkability afforded by the wider sidewalks and safe crosswalks. They even added a mid-block crossing using rapid flashing beacons to alert drivers of pedestrians ready to cross the street. The City rebranded the area as the &lsquo;Rose District, &rsquo; giving it an identity based on the flowers in the raised planters and the baskets that hang from the new lampposts. The before and after photos are great examples of how walkability is necessary for downtown retail to thrive.</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/walkability_score/crafton_tull_rose_district_broken_arrow.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="451" /></p>
<h6>Broken Arrow Rose District</h6>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/walkability_score/walkability_crafton_tull_rose_district.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="451" /></p>
<h6>Broken Arrow Rose District midblock crossing</h6>
<p>Walkshops, typically led by urban planners, are opportunities to share observations and provide possible infrastructure improvements. Attendees may include mayors or other elected officials, the city engineer or public works director, parks director, local healthcare agency directors, business owners, and community advocates. Those present must include people in the town that can effect change. They are the ones who need to see the issues and hear the solutions in order for commitment to take hold. There is no replacement for the firsthand experience of walking on existing streets and sidewalks to get an understanding of the issues a downtown is facing. That experience cannot be replicated from the seat of a car.</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/walkability_score/walkshop_crafton_tull.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="569" /></p>
<h6>De Queen Walkshop 2019 (Center for Community Development, UCA)</h6>
<p>A few years back, I led a walkshop in Broken Arrow&rsquo;s Rose District to show off the &lsquo;what and how&rsquo; rather than analyze what could be possible. The attendees were leaders from other communities who hoped to borrow some of the secrets they could take back to their own downtowns. After the walkshop, a technical report is often the deliverable with photos and a narrative that summarizes the on-site analysis that includes the opportunities and constraints identified at the event. The technical report may also provide funding sources and next step options, so the community leaders have a clear path toward improving their town&rsquo;s transportation infrastructure. The walkshop can be the first step in changing the downtown&rsquo;s story. Each of those changes will affect the community&rsquo;s walk score and, more importantly, make an impact on visitors and the locals, who live, work, and play downtown. Once the COVID-19 crisis is over, &nbsp;downtown businesses will need extra love to get back lost revenue from lack of foot traffic or online only sales. What better way to help restore small businesses that are vital to the community than by conducting a walkshop to set improvements in motion? We are here to help cities and towns organize, mobilize, and navigate the grant process to find the funds to do just that.</p>

Quality of pedestrian facilities, amount of vehicular traffic, among others, determine walkability.

Dave's Work

Learn about Crafton Tull's work on Two Rivers Park Trail Improvements.

Crafton Tull | Two Rivers Park Trail Improvements

Learn more about Fallon Henry and her role and experience at Crafton Tull.

Crafton Tull | Fallon Henry

<p>Fallon Henry recently re-envisioned a campus master plan utilizing an all-native plant palette. Some of her current projects include resort-style amenities, mixed-use developments with neighborhood pocket parks, and high-end private residential gardens. She is a mom of two and loves to design children&rsquo;s playgrounds. She loves driving by and seeing her landscape projects come to life.</p>
<p>Fallon became interested in landscape design through Garden Guru Chris Olsen of Little Rock&rsquo;s THV-11 and working with him at Botanical Gardens.</p>
<p>Her long-term position as vice chair on both the Cave Springs Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Adjustments has given her insight into local development requirements and guidelines. Fallon has served as a United States Air Force Key Spouse for more than seven years. She is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects.</p>

Fallon has served as United States Air Force Key Spouse for more than seven years.

Fallon Henry › Team Member › Pull Quote

<p>Children love to explore. Whether that's at a park specifically designed for them or while they are tagging along to an outdoor space with parents, kids find features of play anywhere. Plantings within areas frequented by children can add an element of play, or they can create hazards cities would rather avoid. When designing outdoor spaces, one should always consider which guests are expected to visit there. When the target audience or even the occasional visitor includes children, landscape architects must factor this into their design criteria, specifically the plant material.</p>

<p>Children are incredibly imaginative; touching lamb&rsquo;s ear may remind them of their favorite stuffed animal, while investigating the hummingbirds or butterflies invited to the butterfly bush may pique their sense of wonder. A shady arch of trees could be a playhouse. Vines can be twirled into crowns. Flowers become a gift.</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/plants_for_play/lambs_ear_plant.jpg" alt="" width="668" height="501" /></p>
<h6>Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantine) is safe to use in areas frequented by children.</h6>
<p>As a mother, I can speak from personal experience. My children once found some amazing &ldquo;swords&rdquo; to play with while at a child-focused area and suffered intense skin irritation from a Lords and Ladies plant (these contain oxalate crystals prone to causing a burning sensation to skin). Did it look colorful, bright, and inviting? Yes. Should it have been in an area where kids play daily? No.</p>
<p>Hazards aren&rsquo;t always what adults think. Kids generally avoid thorny plants, but enticing flowers may not be safe for them. Hydrangeas are poisonous, and daffodils may tempt a child to pick them, but they can present a mild irritant. Foxtail grass isn&rsquo;t dangerous because of toxicity; rather, their barbed seed awns are dangerous if inhaled. Poppies and oleanders are toxic if ingested. Some berries are safely edible and may invite exploring, but unless you have ensured they are not toxic, avoid adding them to a space for children.</p>

<h2>Plants suitable for child play areas</h2>
<table class="tg" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-color: #236fa1; border-style: solid; width: 100%; height: 425.421px;" border="2" cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5"><colgroup><col style="width: 31.791%;" /><col style="width: 24.7761%;" /><col style="width: 23.8806%;" /><col style="width: 19.2537%;" /></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr style="height: 44.7812px;">
<th class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Common Name</th>
<th class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Scientific Name</th>
<th class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Sunlight Preference</th>
<th class="tg-0lax" style="height: 44.7812px;">Hardiness Zone</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Crepe Myrtle</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Lagerstroemia</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Full sun</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 22.3906px;">7-10</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 44.7812px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Japanese Snowball Viburnum</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Viburnum plicatum</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Full sun, part shade</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 44.7812px;">5-8</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 44.7812px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">English Lavender</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Lavandula angustifolia</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Full sun</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 44.7812px;">5-10</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Lamb's Ear</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Stachys byzantina</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Full sun, part shade</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 22.3906px;">4-8</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Zinnia</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Zinnia</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Full sun</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 22.3906px;">3-10</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Spiraea</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Spiraea</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Full sun</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 22.3906px;">4-8</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Weigela</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Weigela</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Full sun</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 22.3906px;">4-8</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Coral Bells</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Heuchera</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Full sun, part shade</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 22.3906px;">4-9</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 44.7812px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Astilbe</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Astilbe chinensis</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Part shade, full shade</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 44.7812px;">3-8</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Purple Coneflower</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Echinacea</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Full sun, part shade</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 22.3906px;">4-9</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Butterfly Bush</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Buddleja</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Full sun</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 22.3906px;">5-9</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Verbena</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Verbena</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Full sun</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 22.3906px;">7-11</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Silver Sage</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Salvia argentea</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Full sun, part shade</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 22.3906px;">5-9</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Snapdragons</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Antirrhinum</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Full sun, part shade</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 22.3906px;">7-11</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Plants to avoid in child play areas</h2>
<table class="tg" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 425.421px; border-color: #236fa1; border-style: solid;" border="2" cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5"><colgroup><col style="width: 21.9512%;" /><col style="width: 28.7805%;" /><col style="width: 27.4797%;" /><col style="width: 21.626%;" /></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<th class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Common Name</th>
<th class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Scientific Name</th>
<th class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Sunlight Preference</th>
<th class="tg-0lax" style="height: 22.3906px;">Hardiness Zone</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Begonia</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Begonia</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Shade, partial shade</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 22.3906px;">9 -10</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 44.7812px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Holly</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Ilex aquifolium</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Full sun, partial shade</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 44.7812px;">6-9</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Peonies</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Paeonia</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Full sun</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 22.3906px;">3-8</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 44.7812px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Azaleas</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Rhododendron</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Full sun, partial shade</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 44.7812px;">6-9</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 44.7812px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Oleander</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Nerium oleander</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Full sun, partial shade</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 44.7812px;">8-10</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Lantana</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Lantana camara</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Full sun</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 22.3906px;">7a-11a</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 44.7812px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Daffodil</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Narcissus</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Full sun, partial shade</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 44.7812px;">3-8</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 44.7812px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Daphne</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Daphne odora</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Full sun, partial shade</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 44.7812px;">4-9</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 44.7812px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Foxglove</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Digitalis</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Full sun, partial shade</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 44.7812px;">4-9</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Hydrangea</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Hydrangea</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 22.3906px;">Partial shade</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 22.3906px;">3-7</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 44.7812px;">
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Golden Rain Tree</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Koelreuteria paniculata</td>
<td class="tg-0pky" style="height: 44.7812px;">Full sun</td>
<td class="tg-0lax" style="height: 44.7812px;">5-9</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Please note that these lists are not exhaustive. It is always a good idea to check&nbsp;<a href="https://calpoison.org/topics/plant#toxic">poison control databases</a>&nbsp;before adding plants to spaces for kids to ensure that they are non-toxic.</p>
<p>While there are many toxic plants to avoid in spaces children frequent, effective plant selection can make for a safe, child-inclusive environment that is beautiful and sustainable. When landscape architects prioritize interesting, safe plants, public spaces are more conducive to kids' imagination and play. With proper planning and preparation, safe plant selection can easily be incorporated into site development, and your next outdoor space can be a magical playground for children.&nbsp;</p>

Careful plant selection helps ensure safe, imaginative fun in outdoor spaces frequented by children.

Plants for Play in Public Spaces

Fallon's Work

AICP, ASLA

Learn more about Julie Luther Kelso and her role and experience at Crafton Tull.

Crafton Tull | Julie Luther Kelso

<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Julie is a Project Manager and Director of <strong>Planning </strong></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">for Crafton Tull. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners as well as the American Planning Association and is a licensed Landscape Architect in both Arkansas and Texas. Julie&rsquo;s areas of expertise include large-scale comprehensive plans, bicycle and pedestrian plans, and park system master plans, as well as site-specific projects such as streetscape corridors, trail design, and campus planning projects. She has managed several award-winning projects varying in scale from a few city blocks to several counties.</span></p>

<h2><strong>A shift in focus</strong></h2>
<p>In 1940, with less than 20 percent of Americans living in rural or suburban areas, metropolitan downtown remained the hub of economic activity in the United States. Even families who lived outside of the city had to travel downtown for entertainment, including theatres, plays, restaurants, gathering space, and commerce. These figures changed drastically when the post-war automobile boom made it possible to live outside the city center where new suburban homes were being constructed at a rapid pace.&nbsp;By 2000, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/censr-4.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">U.S. Census Bureau</a>, half of the U.S. population lived in suburban areas.&nbsp;This mass exodus resulted in outlying shopping malls and big-box retail, with their ample parking and one-stop shopping appeal. They soon replaced downtown areas as the center of retail, culture, entertainment, and gathering space. Downtowns became increasingly neglected as local businesses couldn&rsquo;t compete with big box stores. Research analysts at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/04/retail-meltdown-of-2017/522384/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cowen and Company</a>&nbsp;published a study in early 2017 that found&nbsp;&ldquo;The number of malls in the U.S. grew more than twice as fast as the population between 1970 and 2015.&rdquo; Churches and entertainment venues also followed locating alongside the residential development of the suburbs.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/american_downtown/little_rock_main_street.webp" alt="Little Rock Main Street" width="800" height="1184" /></p>

<h2><strong>Downtowns re-emerge</strong></h2>
<p>Decades later, as communities grew with unimpressive, ubiquitous retail corridors, there was a renewed interest in downtowns and the sense of place found there.&nbsp;<strong>The homogeneity of &lsquo;Anywhere USA&rsquo; left people searching to rediscover the shared experience found downtown.</strong>&nbsp;In no place is this seen more clearly than in the retail sector. Research firm&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cushmanwakefield.us/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cushman &amp; Wakefield</a>&nbsp;published a study finding mall visits declined 50 percent between 2010 and 2013. Nine once formidable department stores filed for bankruptcy in 2017 alone. The result intensified an effort first brought about in the late 1990s and early 2000s to recreate downtowns on a national scale by reconfiguring the traditional indoor mall into new urban lifestyle centers that modeled downtown scale, walkability, and architecture.&nbsp; Ironically, due in part to the affordability of available space, actual downtowns became prime spaces for local businesses, retail, restaurants, and community destinations.&nbsp; In 2012, the U.S. Census Bureau issued a press release stating &ldquo;Between the 2000 and 2010 censuses, metro areas with 5 million or more people experienced double-digit population growth rates within their downtown areas.&rdquo; The takeaway: it is time for cities to build on this momentum.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://api.crafton-tull.doc4.pro/media/uploads/insights/american_downtown/dscf7614-1509719920.jpg" alt="American Downtown - Broken Arrow" width="800" height="451" /></p>

<h2><strong>Development trends</strong></h2>
<p>Municipalities, large and small, see the need to help quell the longing for a sense of place; urban planners come in to lighten that load. Christopher B. Leinberger, in a research brief conducted for The Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program explains &ldquo;Early progress must be made in building this expanded definition of infrastructure&mdash;along with a believable commitment to provide the rest&mdash;in order to attract the private sector developers and investors who will ultimately drive the downtown turnaround.&rdquo;&nbsp;<strong>Municipalities are hiring planning and design consultants to redesign public spaces, knowing that private investment will soon follow.</strong>&nbsp;These projects often start with streetscapes, pedestrian spaces, bike lanes, plazas and pocket parks. Revitalization comes about when the public and private sector interests align. As a result, young professionals have begun to flock to live, work, and play in an authentic environment with layers of architectural history and development over time, rather than the re-created, mass-produced copies on the outskirts of town.</p>
<p>With the renewed interest and eager consumers, planners focus on a community&rsquo;s cultural, historical, and natural assets to emphasize its sense of place. In the world of Amazon and online shopping, fashion and d&eacute;cor have become homogenized. With the shift back to downtown, embracing a local pride and an authentic vibe is a valued commodity.</p>

Cities are experiencing renewed interest in downtowns and the sense of place found in these importance spaces.

Julie's Work

Learn about Crafton Tull's work on Rogers Aquatics Center.

PROJECTS

Phillips Park Master Plan Phasing + Design