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Palisades Overlook10-22-24 | Feature

Palisades Overlook

Morrilton, Arkansas
by Mark A Robertson, FASLA and Caitlin L. Robertson, MESA Landscape Architects Inc.

MESA Landscape Architects (MLA) from Little Rock was selected to design a new overlook located south of Cedar Creek above the Arkansas River Valley at the west entrance of Petit Jean State Park in Morrilton, Arkansas. The western edge of this overlook and bridge span are the result of shifting resources from one part of the design to another in order to avoid a costly change order. This concrete abutment and the one on the opposite side of bridge was kept intact. The existing, 25-foot-deep crevice is spanned by a prefabricated, weathered-steel bridge.
The Landscape Architect wanted visitors to experience the variations in the outcrop while being kept from entering the area. Views across the platform provide a glimpse of the existing conditions and irregularities of the grade, as the far edge is only a few inches above the existing grade.
Every effort was made to integrate all stone features into the existing outcrop. At this location, the column base is several feet lower and is eventually tied to the outcrop and rests on top of the existing stone. This is the tallest column on the project, at approximately 12 feet high. It also serves as an anchor point for the fence, as it turns 90 degrees and drops several feet due to an abrupt grade change.
This east-facing view looks toward the Mather Lodge at far end of Cedar Creek Canyon. Two-foot-eight-inch columns taper to a wider base and have capstones that are 36-inches square or a similar proportion for non-typical columns. The stone is 'Smokey Mountain Blue' from Schwartz Stone Company, and was quarried and tumbled in three different thicknesses. The front left column in the picture is an example of an atypical column that was the result of a site condition requiring a slight change in the layout. This column is deeper front to back to accommodate the change. The fence rails are anchored into the stone with core drilled holes.
Approaching the Overlook from the bridge, one can see the distant view of Red Rock Overlook and Point on the opposite side of the canyon. Interpretive signage is integrated into the security/safety fencing, providing an overview for park visitors. The railing is an Arkansas State Parks (ASP) design standard that MESA initially designed for earlier ASP projects. It is custom-built with solid three-quarter-inch pickets and then attached to weld plates on the columns when brought on site. All paved surfaces were a minimum of four-inch rebar-reinforced poured concrete with a surface stain. Aggregate from a local stone quarry was applied to the concrete. A diamond abrasive disc was used to grind the surface to a nonslip roughness coefficient, resulting in exposed but 'polished' aggregate matching the stone columns and walls. All concrete surfaces were then layered with a protective sealant.
These views demonstrate the integration of stone columns around the existing natural sandstone outcrop overlooking the deep crevice leading towards the Arkansas River Valley to the west.
These views demonstrate the integration of stone columns around the existing natural sandstone outcrop overlooking the deep crevice leading towards the Arkansas River Valley to the west.

Petit Jean State Park, located on top of Petit Jean Mountain in Morrilton, Arkansas, was established in 1923 as the state's first State Park. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began developing the park facilities and roadworks in 1933, with most of the early projects completed prior to World War II. Petit Jean State Park is an excellent example of CCC-era work and style, as much of the original work remains intact and has influenced all contemporary developments. In the century since the park was established, it has been a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Since the first reported attendance of 63,000 in 1939, visitation to the park has increased to nearly one million people annually, including visitors from across the United States and the globe.

MESA Landscape Architects (MLA) from Little Rock, Arkansas was selected to design the new overlook at the west entrance of the park just before the highway descends into the valley below. The site is south of Cedar Creek along the edge of the mountain, overlooking the Arkansas River Valley. For decades, the promontory was secured along the steep drop-off with a chain-link fence that had become a safety issue for visitors. It was the last of the prominent overlook locations within the park providing panoramic views across the expansive landscape that had not been updated since new developments began in 1998. MLA previously designed elevated boardwalks and overlooks at Cedar Falls and Stouts Point at the east entry as part of the first round of improvements, thanks to a dedicated eight-cent sales tax revenue stream directed towards funding for state parks, Arkansas' game and fish, and the state's natural heritage.

MLA was responsible for all conceptual design, construction documents, and specifications, as well as providing ongoing construction administration through the duration of the project. AMR Architects in Little Rock served as the project architect and project management while providing construction administration support. The new overlook was challenging due to safety concerns about the extreme drop off and because it was constructed during the onset of the Covid pandemic, which complicated schedules and the availability of key persons due to health concerns.

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Arkansas State Parks' project goals were direct: they wanted a safe and aesthetically pleasing alternative to the existing natural outcrop that was secured only by an aging and derelict chain-link fence that was easy to go under or around in several locations. The uneven and weathered outcrop did not allow for universal accessibility and was a hazard for tripping and possible injury. Furthermore, since the park is one of the state's most iconic historical destinations and contains much of the original CCC work, it was imperative the new project respect the park's history and amenities while providing a safe and secure environment for park guests.

MLA worked closely with Arkansas State Park staff and prepared multiple options for consideration while attempting to design within a limited budget. Several meetings were held between all members of the project to discuss and review these options and to make progress throughout the design process. Historic photos and context images, as well as precedent images and supporting graphics, were presented to State Park staff to convey design ideas for approval. One hurdle that affected budget was the project's remote location, which made it challenging to get materials and workforce on site. Excessive grades and hairpin curves on all roads leading to the site made the logistics of getting concrete, bridge spans, cranes, and other heavy materials an additional challenge.
Palisades Overlook is approximately 1000 square feet and is an intentional departure from direct replication of the previous contemporary projects in the park while paying homage to the aesthetics of the historic CCC elements, as the historic rock quarry that supplied the original stone for the CCC work is no longer operational. After extensive research of regional rock quarries, Schwartz Stone Company in Logan County, Arkansas was selected to supply the quarried and 'chopped' sandstone for the project. The gray, multi-shaded sandstone visually blends with the existing rock outcropping while appearing to be integrated within the landscape, especially when viewed from other vantage points. The choice in material received some initial pushback, as it had a different appearance than the more recently used and irregular-shaped fieldstone. However, upon further evaluation of the park, the layered quarried stone had precedent, and the color choice gained approval when samples were displayed on the outcrop for comparison.

The 'Smokey Mountain Blue' stone was cut into three different thicknesses to provide a gradation in appearance. The stone was mechanically tumbled to soften the edges and provide a more weathered and aged look. It was stacked in horizontal courses directly over the monolithic outcrop by using deep, raked mortar joints. The varied shades of blue and gray stone blends with the exposed and weathered stone on site. The masonry is coarser and has a larger, 10-to-12-inch base that gradually thins to two-to-four-inches and becomes more refined as it rises out of the weathered rock overlooking the Arkansas River Valley. The horizontal courses interpret the geographical strata of the region. Crushed aggregate from the same quarry was used in the concrete mix, and the surface was ground to expose the aggregate and visually complement the masonry columns and walls.

Detailed mockups of the columns, wall, and concrete surface were constructed adjacent to the project and used as a reference whenever questions arose or design intent required clarification. Having an actual built reference was invaluable to guide the masons in their work and to demonstrate the gradation and tapered forms required. Additionally, the mockup provided a visual reference that allowed for minor adjustments to be made that all parties agreed to prior to actual construction. The mockup had elements within it that were deemed unacceptable and marked on the sample to avoid replicating those techniques or materials in the final build. Every mason is different in terms of technique and design understanding. This practice allowed for all parties to become comfortable with each other and understand the project intent prior
to construction.

A prefabricated, weathered-steel foot bridge spans 24 feet across a deep chasm and allows visitors to walk over and peer into the crevice below. Interpretive panels are integrated according to Arkansas State Park's design standard with flat, black, solid steel picket railing. They provide a narrative of the history and explanation of the views that visitors enjoy while gazing to the north, west, and east. Black Omega Architectural Fencing was used to replace the worn chain-link fence in the immediate area. At five feet in height, it keeps responsible visitors from going out to the edge while being less visually imposing. The fence is anchored with tapered stone columns six feet tall and spaced at various intervals to provide
perimeter security.

Every attempt to rest lightly on the site was made so it is perceived as part of the landscape instead of in contrast with the surroundings. It exemplifies finding harmony with nature in Arkansas' oldest state park.

As seen in LASN magazine, October 2024.

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