MAD Phase I to reach completion by summer

Playscape, farmer’s market still in development

Downtown entertainment: Above is the construction zone for the new MAD Children Playscape. MAD officials are well underway towards adding phase two to their downtown property which will include the playscape and a farmer's market. The district is planning for the area to be open to the public by mid-May.
Downtown entertainment: Above is the construction zone for the new MAD Children Playscape. MAD officials are well underway towards adding phase two to their downtown property which will include the playscape and a farmer's market. The district is planning for the area to be open to the public by mid-May.

Several months after its grand opening, Phase I of the Murphy Arts District is yet to be completed.

Still missing are the children’s playscape and open-air farmer’s market, which President and COO of MAD Austin Barrow said should be open by mid-May. He attributed the delay to construction issues, primarily finishing out property acquisitions in that corner of the MAD compound.

“The reason you call it a playscape is that its different than a playground, a playscape is a full landscape made for play,” Barrow said.

He said they plan to include running hills with tunnels underneath, a zipline and a slide more than two stories tall, in addition to the splash pad that will give kids a way to cool off once it opens next summer. The playscape will be cladded with natural wildlife, specifically plants and flowers from Arkansas, which will be labeled to serve as educational elements for patrons. The back wall of the bathrooms will serve as a projection screen and there will be large baseball-stadium style lights for potential night activities.

So far, none of the programming has been set in stone. Barrow said they would like to have educational programs and perhaps daytime services for kids. Asked if he had any worry about the playscape’s proximity to the railroad tracks, Barrow said “none at all.” He said there will be a 12-foot tall fence that will wrap around that side of the area. There will only be one entrance and the landscape will be mostly evenly pitched so that parents won’t feel like they need to worry about hovering over their child in case they lose sight, or the child walks into traffic. He said all 1.5 acres are designed specifically for play, from the moment a child walks through the winding run-path entrance. The playscape will be located on the lot just south of First United Methodist Church on Hill Street.

The farmer’s market should open around the same time, as Barrow said May through November is Arkansas’ peak growing season. They plan to continue the partnerships they’ve built with local farmers through the Griffin Restaurant. Barrow said he thinks it could be a good opportunity for patrons of the restaurant to buy the same ingredients used inside and try the recipes for themselves. They intend to sell more than just fruits and vegetables – Barrow said they would like to include everything from garden staples to beef and eggs. The farmer’s market will be adjacent to the MAD Amphitheatre at 105 E. Locust.

Ward 3 council members Willie McGhee and Kensel Spivey were both positive about MAD’s progress and mission. Spivey said that while she was a little disappointed Phase I wasn’t completed yet, she understood how long a large project like this can take and hopes MAD stays the course. McGhee said he thinks the Murphy Arts District is “excellent,” and “a great opportunity for us to show that we have something for everyone,” referring to the diversity of performers MAD has already had since the October grand opening.

Phase II is still being discussed at the executive level, said Chief Marketing Director Bob Tarren. Barrow attributed the delay to a lack of funding.

“If you’re really excited about it, you can write us a check and bring it down today,” he said.

There currently is no timeframe for construction on Phase II, which is expected to include an 8,000-square-foot art gallery with in-house artists’ quarters at the McWilliams Furniture Building and a renovated Rialto Theater for traveling Broadway productions and other live events.

Caitlan Butler can be reached at [email protected] or 870-862-6611.

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