Our History: The Meadowcreek Project
In the 1970s, brothers David and Will Orr were inspired to purchase 1,600 acres of rich bottomland along Meadow Creek with a bold and visionary goal: to create a model of a sustainable village. Their plan combined a deep respect for nature with forward-thinking technology to promote environmentally conscious living. This dream became known as The Meadowcreek Project.
From 1979 to 1989, Meadowcreek saw a decade of intense development and passionate education. The site quickly grew into a hub for environmental innovation and sustainable living. Buildings included a state-of-the-art conference center, multiple homes, a sawmill, and two dormitories to host students and visitors. During this time, Meadowcreek became widely recognized among environmental advocates across the country.
The property hosted a range of retreats, workshops, and academic programs, often welcoming university students and professors seeking to explore sustainability in practice. These immersive experiences made Meadowcreek a place of intellectual energy and ecological inspiration.
Over the years, notable guests visited Meadowcreek, including a young governor named Bill Clinton and celebrated author and environmentalist Wendell Berry. Berry’s influence extended beyond Meadowcreek, helping inspire broader changes in how institutions approached food sourcing—encouraging a shift toward locally grown and produced food, well ahead of the widespread farm-to-table movement.
In 1988, the project’s impact reached even further. A cultural exchange program brought fifteen students from the Soviet Union to Meadowcreek to stay and learn. In return, fifteen students from Arkansas traveled to the Soviet Union the following year. These powerful exchanges fostered deep bonds and mutual understanding, opening doors to ongoing collaboration and connection during a pivotal time in global history.
Despite its promise and vibrant community, the Meadowcreek Project faced financial and structural challenges by the early 1990s. Funding had dried up, and grant support had ended. The project was found to be in significant debt, and some of the buildings—constructed partially underground—struggled with humidity and mold issues. Regulatory concerns also led to the closure of the sawmill.
Ultimately, the project’s financial backing could not be sustained, and key leadership moved on. However, the legacy of Meadowcreek—as a visionary experiment in sustainable living, international cooperation, and environmental education—still echoes across the land and the people it touched.
Present Day at Meadowcreek: A New Chapter Begins
As of January 2025, Meadowcreek has entered a new era with the support of a rejuvenated board of directors and a renewed sense of purpose. United by a shared passion for nature, sustainability, and community, our mission is clear:
To make Meadowcreek a welcoming public space where everyone can connect with the land, learn from it, and enjoy its beauty.
Meadowcreek is being reimagined as a public park and nature retreat, open to the community for exploration, inspiration, and restoration. With miles of natural landscape, a spring-fed creek, historic structures, and serene woodland trails, the property offers a peaceful escape for all who visit.
A Sustainable Future Through Stewardship
To ensure Meadowcreek’s long-term sustainability, we have adopted a self-supporting financial model. By offering short-term rentals of select properties on the land, we are able to generate funding that goes directly back into:
- Restoring and maintaining historic buildings
- Protecting native habitats
- Expanding public access and recreational opportunities
- Supporting infrastructure improvements
All of this is made possible with the ongoing support of dedicated volunteers, who bring their time, skills, and heart to the work of revitalizing Meadowcreek.
Our Mission
To protect, preserve, and restore the natural landscapes of Meadowcreek Inc. through sustainable land management practices, community engagement, and educational initiatives. We strive to foster a deeper connection between people and nature, ensuring the health of our ecosystems for future generations.
From trail-building to native planting, from guided walks to hands-on workshops, Meadowcreek is once again becoming a living example of harmony between people and the natural world—just as it was always meant to be.
Whether you’re here to stay, volunteer, or simply take a walk among the trees, you are part of Meadowcreek’s story.