The former homesite of Bud Walton, located at 606 E, has received a permit to operate as a botanical garden.
The Bentonville Planning Commission approved the permit, with the applicant being Rogers-based Crafton Tull and the property owner being the Peel Compton Foundation, a Bentonville nonprofit.
According to city records, the plans are to restore the house and convert the grounds into a walkable botanical garden accessible to the public, allowing the character of the property to remain intact.
The permit will also allow the character of the property to remain intact and will be an asset to the city for years to come.
The Peel Compton Foundation operates several other sites, including Peel Museum & Botanical Garden, Compton Gardens & Arboretum, Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, and Osage Park.
Author's summary: Bud Walton's former home to become a botanical garden.