City of Bentonville to Celebrate Grand Opening of A Street Promenade

Bentonville Unveils the ‘A Street Promenade’ with Nov. 15 Grand Opening

Downtown Bentonville will officially unveil the A Street Promenade with an all-day Grand Opening event beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Downtown Square. The event will feature live performances, kids' activities, local voices, and a first glimpse at how this innovative space will transform how the community connects. The official Grand Opening ceremony will be held from 11 to 11:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The Promenade is a lively, pedestrian-only corridor redefining the downtown experience. In 2017, Bentonville City Council adopted the Play Bentonville Plan, a 10-year master plan for Parks and Recreation that included a vision to enhance and connect public spaces throughout Downtown Bentonville. That vision later evolved into the “Quilt of Parks,” an initiative to link downtown’s green spaces and civic areas through walkable, people-centered design.

“Our downtown is evolving into a place where public spaces connect and community life thrives,” said Mayor Stephanie Orman. “Each new space adds to that energy, creating more opportunities for people to meet, gather, and experience Bentonville together. The A Street Promenade continues that vision and brings our community even closer to the heart of the city.”

The Promenade builds on that vision through years of planning and community input led by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

“The A Street Promenade is an investment in many things, including economic development and a vibrant downtown, connectivity and sense of place, but most of all, it is an investment in our citizens,” said Bentonville Parks and Recreation Director David Wright. “Downtown Bentonville is a special place. This project, this investment in our community, takes that special place to a level not shared by many communities. I am so proud and appreciative of all the men and women who worked on this project and our partners who helped make it a reality. But most of all, I’m proud of our citizens and how their input was the inspiration for creating a space that will serve this community for generations to come.”

Bentonville’s “Quilt of Parks” received support as part of the Walton Family Foundation’s Northwest Arkansas Design Excellence Program, an initiative that promotes the highest level of design in public spaces. In 2023, the foundation awarded a $17.1 million grant for the design and construction of the A Street Promenade.

The Promenade brings the city’s long-term vision to life, transforming thoughtful design into a welcoming public space where neighbors, visitors, and families can connect. As it opens, residents will experience downtown in a new light, where design meets daily life and Bentonville’s vision for connected public spaces truly comes alive.