NATURAL ATTRACTION ARKANSAS
PHOTOS: (Top) The multiuse, paved pathway has become a popular recreational amenity and active transportation route in Northwest Arkansas; (below) This giant spider sculpture adorns the grounds of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, located along the Razorback Regional Greenway in Bentonville. “We would not be what we are today without the Razorback Greenway. It started the momentum, and it’s our superhighway to connect all of these amazing bike trail systems.” Erin Rushing, CEO, Trailblazers
Variety Is the Spice of (Trail) Life The Razorback experience is varied as you pass through different communities, Mihalevich noted. It runs along streams and includes flat and hilly portions. Sections feature bridges and green corridors, and some parts run along roadways with designated bike lanes. “There’s the nature element of being out on the trails—there are good sections of the greenway that are beautiful and run through the woods,” said Hill, who enjoys cycling the trail. “There are also sections that run through downtowns if you want to be part of the city life. The greenway has an appeal for everybody—that’s part of what makes it so special.” Older sections of the trail follow former railroad cor - ridors, including Fayetteville’s Frisco Trail, which also parallels an active railroad for a portion of its journey. And the greenway follows some historically significant routes as well, including the Trail of Tears and Civil War paths. Nestled in the Ozarks, the region is also home to many mountain biking trails, which attract bicyclists from all over the country. Rushing said the Razorback Regional Greenway connects these trails, making them more accessible. “You may jump on the greenway, ride it for 2 miles, and then get off and ride a mountain bike trail system,” he said. “It’s that spine that connects all of these recre - ational amenities.” By the end of the year, the alliance plans to unveil
new signage along the trail, including new mile markers and maps. “As Northwest Arkansas and the greenway have continued to grow, we realized it’s really important to have a regional presence for the greenway,” Hill explains. “Since it encompasses the entire region, we want it to be consistent throughout the entire 40 miles.” A Trail Within Reach The alliance and city leaders are working to ensure the greenway is never closed so that it’s always accessible to residents who rely on it for transportation—and that any detours for flooding or construction are promptly posted online. They also plan to expand connector trails so residents can more easily reach trailheads from their homes. “We’re trying to hit more rooftops,” Rushing said. “We built the spine, but now how do those people get from their homes to the trails safely?” In Bentonville, he said they’re investing in on-street facilities, like more bike lanes. Mihalevich said 77% of Fayetteville residents now have access to a trail within a half-mile or 10-minute walk, and the goal is to expand that access to all residents.
“People don’t want to load up their bikes in their car and drive to a trailhead,” Mihalevich said. “If they could have the trailhead at their house, they can roll right out on their bikes.” As Northwest Arkansas keeps growing, Hill said the alliance is dedicated to meeting the demand for connectivity. “We understand the impor - tance of active transportation and alternative transportation,” he explained. “We want to con - tinue to improve accessibility and commutability and everything that the greenway has to offer because it’s an incredibly special part of Northwest Arkansas.” •
Erica Sweeney is a Little Rock, Arkansas- based freelance journalist who covers health, wellness, business and lifestyle topics.
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RAILS TO TRAILS FALL 2022
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