Crystal Bridges is a world class Museum of American Art.  But no visit would be complete without a walk through the grounds that surround it. In fact, one of the best reasons to walk along the trails is to be able to truly admire the graceful world class architecture from various vantage points along the trails behind and adjacent to the buildings themselves.

The museum is a masterpiece by acclaimed architect and urban planner, Moshe Safdie.  In addition to Crystal Bridges, his work includes projects in such diverse environments as Old City Jerusalem; Singapore; Golden Dream Bay in Qinhuangdao, China; as well as Kansas City’s own Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

There are extensive trails through the 120 acre site.  These trails pass by creeks, a pond, and native plants. They wind through and around the grounds. Small walking bridges pass over the creeks on the property that are actually fed by the Crystal Spring.

But the grounds are not limited to natural beauty.  Sculptures the quality of the world class art in the gallery are on the grounds outside as well.  My personal favorite is Stella, by artist/sculptor, Andre Harvey.  Stella weighs in at 560 pounds.  She seems to me to be completely and utterly content.  No dieting for this lass.  Look at her smile.