A once-overlooked parking lot in downtown Fayetteville is now a thriving urban green space. In 2019, Fayetteville voters approved a $226 million bond proposal, of which $31.7 million was designated for developing the Cultural Arts Corridor along West Avenue in downtown Fayetteville. This development was also aided by a Walton Family Foundation’s Design Excellence Program grant. The city selected Nabholz as the construction manager, which in turn contracted Entegrity to guide the project’s sustainable development in line with SITES qualifications. Completed in 2024, the project, now named the Ramble, is the state’s first Sites-certified project and links some of the City’s key cultural institutions — including the Walton Arts Center, TheatreSquared, Nadine Baum Studios, Fayetteville Public Library, and the University of Arkansas’ Art and Design District.
This space contains two major park areas: the Upper Ramble, located between Dickson and Center Streets, and the Lower Ramble between Center and Prairie Street, just west of the Fayetteville Public Library. Five primary elements within the Lower and Upper Ramble comprised most of the project: The West Avenue Civic Space, West Avenue streetscapes, The Fay Jones Woodland, The Razorback Greenway, and a new parking deck at the corner of West and Dickson streets.
WHAT MAKES THE RAMBLE DIFFERENT?
SITES Certification: A Landmark in Sustainability
The Sustainable SITES Initiative® (SITES®) is the most comprehensive rating system for developing resilient and sustainable landscapes. Administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), SITES certification measures environmental performance in areas such as water management, biodiversity, and material selection. The Sustainable SITES Initiative certified the Lower Ramble at the Silver level, making it the first SITES-certified project in Arkansas. This portion, containing the Fay Jones Woods and Tanglewood Branch Creek, scored 95 points during the certification process, with credits being awarded for the restoration of aquatic ecosystems and the use of regional materials. Entegrity anticipates certification for the Upper Ramble in April 2025.
A highlight of this work was converting a three-acre parking lot into a vibrant green space, complete with a water feature that brings more of the newly daylit Tanglewood Branch Creek into the open. By relocating the parking to a mixed-use facility and planting trees, this area is now a civic plaza and beneficial public cooling element on hot summer days.
Entegrity played a crucial role in helping The Ramble achieve SITES certification by implementing sustainable solutions such as restoring natural water systems, integrating eco-friendly materials, and balancing green infrastructure within a high-traffic urban environment. This certification reinforces Fayetteville’s commitment to sustainability and sets a precedent for future urban projects.
The Ramble’s Sustainability Features:
- Solar-powered lighting – Reducing grid reliance with renewable energy sources.
- Daylit & restored stream – Revitalizing 1,200 feet of Tanglewood Branch to form improved water quality and habitat.
- Recycled materials & waste diversion – 100% of road and infrastructure waste was diverted from landfills, and all removed trees were mulched.
- Increased native plantings & tree canopy – Adding 149 new trees and 400 native shrubs to replace invasive species and enhance biodiversity.
- Stream daylighting – Uncovering and restoring Tanglewood Branch, which had been buried underground, improving ecological function and community engagement with the waterway.
WHY SITES CERTIFICATION MATTERS
Like LEED for buildings, SITES ensures that landscapes contribute to a healthier environment. The Ramble’s certification recognizes its commitment to:
- Improving water quality through creek restoration and stormwater control.
- Reducing urban heat with expanded tree canopy and native plantings.
- Enhancing community well-being by creating an accessible, pedestrian-friendly space.
A MODEL FOR THE FUTURE
The Ramble demonstrates how cities can repurpose underutilized spaces into sustainable, community-driven assets. It proves that green infrastructure isn’t just an add-on — it’s an essential component of resilient, future-ready urban planning.
