Great Mobility Infrastructure Can Be a Destination of Its Own.

Building better mobility connections. What does that look like to you?

For many of us, the phrase means the process of creating a complete and functional transportation infrastructure for drivers, bicyclists and walkers, of all ages, incomes and abilities. It’s the physical infrastructure—the roadways, paths, sidewalks and the like that allow us to safely move about our communities.

But there’s another dimension to “building better mobility connections,” one beyond functionality.

Mobility infrastructure can become a destination in itself, a place for people to visit and relax, rather than just pass by—to seek rest, entertainment and connection to one another—while also keeping cyclists and pedestrians safe.

“While improved mobility is a plus, new pathways and corridors can do much more than serve as a route to get from Point A to Point B,” Amy Seek, a landscape architect in New York City, writes.

“They can be places people want to be in and of themselves. They can educate and entertain; they can provide habitat for urban wildlife; they can cleanse stormwater and cool the air; they can provide a place for neighbors to get together—all while also keeping cyclists and pedestrians safe.”

Some key concepts related to mobility infrastructure as a destination are:

• Enriching functionality: Beyond the basic purpose of travel, infrastructure is enhanced with amenities, aesthetics and activities that encourage people to sit and relax, enjoy, explore, with others or by themselves.

• Integrating leisure and practicality: The design of the infrastructure incorporates elements of recreation, cultural exchange and environmental benefits alongside efficient movement.

• Engaging community: Involving local communities in the planning and development ensures the infrastructure meets their needs and desires, fostering ownership and promoting vibrancy. 

Examples include:

• Pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure: Dedicated pathways and green corridors offer scenic routes, incorporating art installations, gardens and cafes, encouraging people to spend more time outdoors and explore the surroundings.

• Integrated mobility hubs: Combining various transportation modes (e.g., trains, bikes, and car-sharing) with shops, restaurants and cultural spaces, becoming focal points for social interaction and activity.

Is this kind of mobility infrastructure a faraway dream for us here in Bentonville, only for cities with millions of people?  

Absolutely not!

At least not here in this Northwest Arkansas city. Here, we’re moving ahead, with elected officials, city staff and community allies, like the Coalition, equally committed to a higher, more connected quality of life for everyone. 

Bentonville’s innovative Quilt of Parks project is one example of mobility infrastructure as a destination. A pedestrian-safe corridor that connects six downtown parks and plazas, the Quilt of Parks project began in the city’s downtown in September 2023.

At the core of the Quilt of Parks is the A Street Promenade, stretching from SE 2nd Street to NE 3rd Street as a linear plaza with garden nooks, café seating, play areas and food trucks.

8th Street Gateway Park

Another example of successfully elevating mobility infrastructure into a destination is the much-anticipated 8thStreet Gateway project. When finished, which is expected to be in late 2026, the park will be more than 100 acres with bike and walking trails, pavilions, parks, and more.

The 8th Street Gateway Park will become a center for community recreation and urban nature for Bentonville, and a beginner mountain bike destination for Northwest Arkansas. The community’s input helped inform the master plan and focuses on four interrelated aspects:

• play

• connectivity

• ecology

• community

Divided into three sections--The East Landing, The Central Yard and The Porch— the park offers dedicated spaces to explore, play, gather and commune.

A sneak peak into some of the key features of the project include a destination playground, pavilion, event plaza, active and passive recreation areas, access to trail connections, and a state-of-the-art wheel sports garden for stunts, skills and sessions.

The East Landing

The Central Yard

The Porch

These are just two projects in Bentonville elevating mobility infrastructure as a destination. Other city-wide highlights include Walmart’s 350-acre Home Office with spaces that connect with the community in meaningful ways. 

Nearly seven miles of pedestrian promenades and bike trails offer easy access to outdoor recreation and sustainable commuting.

The trails connect the campus to the Razorback Regional Greenway and other community trails, enhancing walkability and bikeability. They’re also integrated with the campus’s public spaces, including plazas, pavilions and green spaces, encouraging employees and visitors to connect with nature and enjoy outdoor recreation.