​Artist Rosemary Lonewolf drew her inspiration for the bridge's bird-like form from geometric images of parrots painted on prehistoric Native American pottery. The steel mesh cage and supports of the bridge form the head and wings of a Scarlet Macaw – a prized bird in ancient times. The brightly-colored relief pictures on the bridge columns tell the story of ancient traders toting corn and other goods from one culture to another. In addition to the relief images on the columns, the bridge features feather designs for railings and smaller support piers, an abstracted pattern of birds sandblasted into the walkway, and red lighting accenting the bridge at night.

Streetscape

Artist Leticia Huerta worked with the project team to enhance the sidewalks and bus shelters near the intersection of 35th Avenue and McDowell Road. The improvements included four artist-designed bus shelters, patterned and colored sidewalk pavers, a unique school gate depicting an agave plant, and a new sidewalk alignment with trees and plantings to improve pedestrian comfort and safety along McDowell. The bus shelters feature colorful ceramic mosaics and shade screens perforated with the images of agave leaves. The streetscape connects the bridge and middle school to the Brett Tarver Learning Center, at the southwest corner of 35^th and McDowell.