Visit Hot Springs announced plans Wednesday to rehabilitate existing portions of the Northwoods Trails system and expand the complex of mountain biking and hiking trails in the northern section of the city.
The project will be supported by a $175,000 grant from Steuart Walton and Tom Walton through the Walton Family Foundation, Visit Hot Springs said in a news release.
"Northwoods has already established itself as a major tourism attraction for Hot Springs as well as providing an unparalleled outdoor recreation resource for the city's residents," Visit Hot Springs Trails Coordinator Traci Berry said in the release.
"This effort will give us the opportunity to expand and improve that resource for both the economic growth and wellness of our city."
The project will include the following:
• Rehabilitating flow trails, mainly to rework the Black Diamond downhill trail, Lucky 13, which is used by experienced riders, as well as rehabilitation on areas of the Blue Jay, Screech Owl, Ragnarok and Cats Meow trails.
• Construct new trails that will connect the Bethel and Sanderson bridges at the Hot Springs waterworks property and allow waterworks employees and trail users to take advantage of the property.
• Begin the design work that will lead to Phase 2 of the complex. Phase 2, when completed, will add 8 to 10 more miles of mountain bike trails to the existing 26.5 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails "that will be among the best in North America," Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs, said in the release.
Eventually, the Northwoods system will contain more than 52 miles of "world-class trails" for biking and hiking.
"The Northwoods Trails system has become a community asset for Hot Springs that builds on the statewide momentum to position Arkansas as a world-class mountain bike destination," Gary Vernon, senior program officer for the Walton Personal Philanthropy Group, said in the release.
"These improvements and expansion will enhance connectivity within the park and add new ride experiences such as views of lakes and historic dams."
"Hot Springs is eager to begin these new projects, which will allow the city and Visit Hot Springs to continue the extraordinary partnership that has made the Northwoods Trails system one of the finest recreation resources in the country. Going forward, this partnership will continue to expand the economic and healthful opportunities this great facility offers," Hot Springs City Manager Bill Burrough said in the release.
Berry said the trail rehabilitation will take place on five of the Northwoods flow/downhill trails. It also will pay for 2-3 miles of cross-country trail connecting two newly installed bridges on two of the waterworks lakes. The trails and bridges will give riders and hikers access to the west side of the lakes on the waterworks property.
The Hot Springs Utilities Department installed a new bridge below Lake Dillon Dam and a 300-by-10-foot bridge across Lake Sanderson Dam. The connectivity to the west side of the waterworks lakes will lead into Phase 2 planning of the Northwoods project, Berry said.
"We will be working with Rogue Trails for the trail rehabilitation and new connector trails. IMBA Trail Solutions will work on completing the Phase 2 design," she said.
"Rogue Trails will begin rehabilitation and expansion work at the beginning of October. We should have IMBA on the ground by December. We are also being awarded an IMBA Trail Accelerator Grant that will cover half of the Phase 2 design cost."