Merriman Avenue, located in downtown Wynne, Arkansas, sits along the Crowley’s Ridge Scenic Byway in a historically significant yet flood-prone area. Once a bustling center of commerce and community, the street faced decades of decline due to flooding, economic shifts, and social division. Merriman Street resides in the Crowley’s Ridge Ecoregion and L’Anguille River watershed a 303d federally impaired river. EDG saw an opportunity to reconnect a community by planting a seed at its core.
As part of a pro bono effort, we envisioned Merriman Avenue as a sustainable and connected community space. The design included rain gardens, porous pavement, and a splash park to transform water from a liability into an asset. Native plantings emphasized the region’s agricultural heritage while supporting pollinator species, and sustainable practices eliminated the need for permanent irrigation. With $800,000 in funding, including a 50/50 grant and local contributions, the project delivered traffic-calming measures, additional parking, and accessible public spaces.
These improvements have allowed Wynne to become a hub city for the proposed 250-mile Crowley’s Ridge Gravel Trail and the downtown is once again a welcome amenity for visitors and hangout spot for locals.
This project has proven that rural communities can be transformative and attractive to the current and future generations. Through sustainable design practices, we were able to give new life to this historic downtown area while maintaining its original charm.
When we add value to the quality of a place, we subsequently add value to the quality of life.
2024 Award of Merit from American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Central States
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