Scott Family Amazeum

For Northwest Arkansas’ Amazeum, Howell & Vancuren, now part of Wallace Design Collective, designed the children’s playground, The Great Lawn and the street-frontage landscapes, creating engaging and memorable outdoor experiences for visitors of all ages.

The half-acre children’s playground is divided into 10 interactive zones, each offering open-ended play experiences that foster curiosity and connections with nature. Zones include the Art Zone, Construction Junction, Tot Spot, The Lawn, Climbing Pyramid, the Creek, Plant Maze, The Knoll, the Turf Highway and the Donor/Sculpture Walk. Each area presented unique design challenges that were met with thoughtful solutions, resulting in a cohesive, playful and immersive environment.

The Great Lawn, also half an acre in size, features restrooms, a covered picnic area, and flexible open space capable of hosting large events while allowing the Amazeum’s outdoor exhibit area to expand. Strategically placed plantings provide a visual barrier from the adjacent street and parking lot, softening the edges and creating a welcoming environment.

Street-frontage landscapes were designed to screen the playground while enhancing the museum’s presence. The topography and planting design reflect Arkansas’ geographic diversity: southern berms evoke the Boston Mountains, while extensive eastern rain gardens represent the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, blending ecological storytelling with aesthetic appeal.