HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (KTHV) – Garvan Woodland Gardens debuted its new tree house that is one of kind to Arkansas and the world.
The Evans Tree House is a $1.8 million project that was almost 10 years in the making. Visitors services director Susan Harper said the Gardens envisioned a tree house like this when it opened in 2002.
"There's not another one designed like this in the entire world,” Harper said. "Modus Studios from Fayetteville designed this. It's kind of got a boomerang shape and its meant to be suspended among the trees."
Harper said the tree house is 630 square feet and is four stories tall.
“There’s a steel frame that gives it a lot of support. The ribs in here, most of them are made of wood,” she said.
The tree house also includes a crow’s nest. Harper said it is a favorite among kids.
“It’s only accessible by rope ladder. I have not even been up there yet, but the kids that's the first place they want to go,” Harper said.
Construction on the tree house began in September 2017. It made its debut on Saturday, June 30.
"I had been looking forward to the opening of the tree house for so long. It's a beautiful addition to the Garvan Gardens,” Becky Wakefield said.
The structure measures a total of 45 feet long and is 28 feet tall.
"It's the walls. That's what I like. The walls aren't solid they have holes in them. It's pretty awesome,” William Wakefield said.
The wood used is thermalized yellow pine. Harper said they plan on adding interactive features inside the tree house so kids can learn about nature hands on.