The bridge was designed by Ed Carpenter and named for Barbara Walker, a parks advocate who died in 2014.

Joseph Gallivan of the Portland Tribune described the bridge as "striking for its green spikes, which vaguely resemble ferns or evergreen needles.

Stakeholders sought to create "a safe, continuous, delicate, iconic bridge that fits the site aesthetic, which could be constructed off-site, installed with minimal disruption, and prove cost-effective".

[1] Carpenter worked with Portland's KPFF Consulting Engineers, who confirmed that a single piling was sufficient to support the bridge.

R&H Construction was hired for installation, and the Portland Bureau of Transportation ensured that permit procedures were followed.