Tunica RiverPark

Tunica RiverPark
SWA provided site planning and landscape architectural
services for Tunica RiverPark, an interpretive center
dedicated to the cultural, natural, and economic
history of the Mississippi River. Purposely built in the
flood plain, the center serves as a living model of the
river’s natural flood patterns. The site location was
chosen because it is situated in the “flow shadow” of
existing upstream development, thus causing minimal
environmental disturbance.
The Tunica RiverPark design has three main
components: a museum, a riparian forest, and a
river park. Terraced exterior gardens connect to the
interpretive trail system and the riparian forest. Flood
terraces are divided into four levels that submerge
sequentially as the water rises during flooding. And
sycamore groves provide a dense canopy that shades
much of the groundplane, significantly reducing heatisland effect.
SWA Group: www.swagroup.com
Location
Tunica, Mississippi
Client
Tunica County
SWA Scope
Site planning
Landscape architectural services
Size
168 acres (68 hectares)
Architect
Williamson Pounders Architects
Awards
ASLA Texas Chapter Merit Award, Design
Constructed