SPRINGDALE -- Residents have more trails to look forward to since the last draft of the city's trail plan was finished.
The Planning Commission forwarded to City Council an update to the plan at Tuesday's meeting.
The city has had a plan for several years, and there are changes that need to be made, said Patsy Christie, director of planning and community development.
"What it does is it gives us a master plan for future funding opportunities," she said.
The most recent plan, dated 2010, shows 20 trailheads. It also shows regional, primary, secondary and neighborhood trails.
One addition to the plan is the Pride of Springdale Trail, which would connect Springdale High School to Har-Ber High School, Christie said. This trail would connect the west side of the city to the downtown area and the Razorback Greenway, which will have its grand opening May 2.
Dean's Trail is another addition to the plan, Christie said. Design work is under way on the trail and a plan should be ready May 1.
Aldermen, on Jan. 13, authorized a contract with Garver, an engineering firm, to design a trail connecting The Jones Center and the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.
Dean's Trail would begin at the center, cross through an industrial area, go through some neighborhoods surrounding Parson Hills Elementary School, continue south to a tunnel under Don Tyson Parkway and end at or around the botanical garden.
The plan also has the addition of a mountain bike trail in the north part of the city, Christie said after the meeting. The trail is under construction from Lake Springdale to a property on Silent Grove Road and should be finished by the end of the month.
The majority of the trails in Springdale are paid for with grants, Christie said. The mayor also sets aside $1 million each year for trails and sidewalks.
Rick Culver, alderman, attended Tuesday's meeting, and said beforehand trails are another amenity for residents. It's a safe way for people to ride bicycles away from traffic. It also provides another way for people to get exercise.
"It's just good, healthy activities for the whole family," he said.
Kevin Parsley, chairman of the commission, said he's seen families using the trails. He said it helps people see parts of the city they might not have known about.
Parsley said he's also seen more avid bicyclists than than he normally sees in the city.
Christie compared the development of trail systems throughout Springdale to connecting street systems.
"It's an alternative form of transportation," she said.
NW News on 03/04/2015