New Trails Hit Elementary Schools

SPRINGDALE — Running and leisurely strolls are replacing ball games during Tyson Elementary School’s recess.

A new walking trail circles the playground and covers a quarter mile. Many students like to use it during break times, said Valarie Traylor, a Tyson teacher.

“It’s fun to see how fast you can run it,” said Dustin Franco, a fifth-grader.

Since this summer, the state has awarded the district $75,736 to develop trails at eight elementary schools and the Springdale Early Childhood Center. The money comes from a 2009 Arkansas tobacco excise tax, said Mary Miller, coordinated school health director for the Springdale School District.

A goal is to reduce childhood obesity by encouraging students to exercise, Miller said.

“We feel like this is one giant step forward in stressing physical fitness,” said Lola Malone, Tyson principal.

Dozens of Tyson fifth-graders used the trail during Wednesday’s afternoon recess. Students walked in groups of three and four while runners passed them.

Walking is a good activity during recess, said student Jenna Head.

“It helps us calm down before class,” she said.

Short exercise breaks help students concentrate and focus in class, Miller said.

Besides recess, the students use the trail during physical education class, said Maggie Cebuhar, a fifth-grader.

The state grants pay for material, and the Springdale Public Works Department provides the labor and equipment.

Trail work first started at Jones Elementary School, and its path features a paved surface.

City workers put down gravel to start trails at Tyson, Parson Hills and Walker elementary schools. They will be paved this spring, Miller said.

Work has not started at the other schools, but Elmdale is next in line, Miller said.

Rick McWhorter, city director of parks and recreation, hopes students will continue walking as they get older.

“When you introduce young children to a walking trail that is part of their school curriculum, they get used to walking them,” he said.

Tyson student Barbara Herver said she and her parents sometimes walk the trail on Sundays.

The trails can be used by the public after school hours, Miller said.

The city, on its master trails plan, has designated connections from the city’s trail system to all the schools, with the exception of Shaw Elementary School. The school is in the northwest corner of the city.

“It’s so far out there, we haven’t gotten there yet,” said Patsy Christie, city director of planning and community development.

Some of the school trails could be connected by sidewalks or bike routes, but none of the connections have been designated yet, Christie said.

The city’s master trails plan projects a trail spine through the city that would connect to trails running from Fayetteville to Bella Vista. The Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission received a $15 million grant through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery program to help build the trail spine through all the cities.

Steve Caraway contributed to this report