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Arkansas Outside
Be Ready for the Arkansas Heat and Humidity
Summer is a time for fun and games, but it’s also important to stay safe when playing outdoors in the heat and humidity. The combination of high temperatures and high humidity can create a dangerous situation, especially for young children and older adults. Arkansas is a state that experiences...
Metroplan Announces Central Arkansas Regional Greenways
Central Arkansas Regional Greenways: A Pathway Forward. Central Arkansas currently enjoys an impressive collection of trails in all corners of our region. But, Metroplan aspires to a pathways system much more ambitious and connected. Metroplan enlisted its member communities to help craft the Central Arkansas Regional Greenways Plan, adopted by the Board on May, 24th 2023, that will guide investment towards a world-class, multi-use pathway network spanning Faulkner, Lonoke, Pulaski, and Saline counties. Six new routes, and the existing Arkansas River Trail, make up the planned pathway system. The plan is truly region-defining! (Link to the Committee Resolution)
National Standards Group to Conduct Trail Building Skills Assessment Workshop with Bicycle Trail Industry Leaders at NWACC
Northwest Arkansas continues to be a world leader in mountain biking programs. From the world-class trails to the new home for many bicycle industry businesses to bicycle repair training, and now in setting standards for trail building. Bentonville has donned the moniker, “Mountain Bike Capital of the World™,” and they seem to be working hard to earn it.
Almost $49 Million in Federal Funds Coming for Two Arkansas Infrastructure Projects
The Biden-Harris Administration has awarded more than $2.2 billion from the RAISE discretionary grant program to 162 different infrastructure projects across the country. The announcement was made on Wednesday by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in South Carolina. The RAISE program supports innovative, transformational, and sustainable infrastructure projects that...
OZ Kids™ Bike & Book Event Returns to Bentonville Public Library on July 1st
Bentonville, AR…The 3rd annual OZ Kids™ Bike & Book Fest returns to Bentonville Public Library (BPL) on Saturday, July 1, 2023, from 9 am – 11 am. The festival is presented by the Ozark Outdoor Foundation, along with many community sponsors, partners, and friends. The outdoor event will showcase activities for kids of all ages, concluding with a bike parade at 11 am. Advanced registration is requested for this free event.
Blue Mountain Trail System Completed
A new 7.6-mile trail system has been recently opened by The Nature Conservancy in Arkansas at Blue Mountain Natural Area. The system was constructed by Affordable Trail Solutions (ATS), a trail contractor, with the help of staff and volunteers. The system caters to beginners to intermediate-level mountain bikers, hikers, and trail runners. The total cost of the project was $290,000, with most of the funding coming from a private donation. According to Sam Bates, the Recreation Technician at The Nature Conservancy, ATS built all of the trails except for five bridges. An Eagle Scout Project was responsible for the completion of a portion of trail armoring. For more on how Blue Mountain became a Natural Area, read our article from last December.
PeopleForBikes’ 2023 City Ratings Compares 16 Arkansas Cities for Bicycling
PeopleForBikes, the U.S. bicycling industry’s trade association, and a national advocacy nonprofit, announced the results of its seventh annual City Ratings, a comprehensive ranking of cities based on the quality of their bike networks. 1,484 U.S. cities were rated for 2023, the most in program history, up from 1,106 in 2022 and 510 in 2019. 249 international locations were also rated across Europe, Canada, and the U.K. For 2023, the top-scoring small, medium, and large U.S. cities for bicycling are Provincetown, Massachusetts; Davis, California; and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Second-Annual WOZ Sunset Summit Returns to Bentonville
BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The best of women’s mountain biking will return to the Mountain Biking Capital of the World™ with the second annual Women of OZ (WOZ) Sunset Summit fundraiser with tickets on sale now. Nestled in the beautiful Ozark mountains and surrounded by over 250 miles of trails, the 2023 WOZ Sunset Summit will take place at the Momentary, Ledger, and throughout OZ Trails on September 15-17, 2023.
Follow Up on the Elimination of State Parks and Reduced Staffing
Last week, we posted an opinion piece on irregularities seen at the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, the Governor’s Office, and the First Gentleman’s Office. It started with the unexpected ouster of Mike Mills as the secretary of the department. Due to a lack of information surrounding the removal, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the Arkansas Times filed FOIA requests for emails and other information surrounding Mr. Mill’s resignation. Due to the importance of the Arkansas State Parks to outdoor recreation in the state, we felt it was important to further expand on the circumstances surrounding the information provided in the emails released. – Joe Jacobs.
The Razorback Greenway becomes a National Recreation Trail
In celebration of Great Outdoors Month and National Trails Day on June 3, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the designation of nine new national recreation trails in nine states, adding 340 miles to the National Trails System. The newly designated trails join a network of more than 1,300 existing national recreation trails, which can be found in every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Artist Stefan Sagmeister Puts a New Meaning Behind “The Natural State” with Lakes & Rivers
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (June 19, 2023) – The Natural State shines at the intersection of art and nature with the newest addition of Lakes & Rivers by artist Stefan Sagmeister to the OZ Art NWA collection. The installation began on May 22nd and is expected to complete by the end of June.
What is Going on with our State Parks?
You may have seen recent news involving some changes in leadership at the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism (ADPHT). Last week, the Arkansas Times reported on a meeting of commissioners with the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission (SPRTC) and the governor without public notice. Today the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported on emails that former department Secretary, Mike Mills, sent before “resigning”. It would probably help to have some background on the department.
Northwest Arkansas Land Trust Hosts Second Annual Paddle Party Fundraiser
SILOAM SPRINGS, AR -The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust (NWALT) announced today that it will host its second annual Paddle Party fundraiser on Saturday, July 15, from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Gypsy Camp and Canoe located at 20271 S Highway 59, Siloam Springs, AR. The floating fundraiser aims to raise $30,000 for NWALT’s mission of protecting the lands and waters that sustain Northwest Arkansas.
Bike Ride Through the Arlington Hotel Lobby
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — How many chances do you get to ride your bicycle through the lobby of one of the South’s grand old hotels?. In the case of the Güdrun – Northwoods Trails Mountain Bike Festival’s Slow Roll event, November 10 will be the fifth chance.
AGFC Announces Plans to Renovate Lake Conway
MAYFLOWER — Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Director Austin Booth announced official plans today to begin the renovation of Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir. The plan includes replacing the lake’s aging spillway and will be the largest lake renovation project in the agency’s 108-year history. “It...
Creekside Park Grand Opening & Ribbon-cutting Event
Bentonville Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce the grand opening of Creekside Park in the southwest corridor of Bentonville, located at 3104 SW Bright Road. The celebration is scheduled for Saturday, June 17, 10 am – 1 pm, with the event program and ribbon-cutting starting promptly at 11 am. Other festivities include food trucks, vendor booths, sports demonstrations, musical entertainment, and a public art unveiling of Upper Cut by New York artist Alvaro Bonfiglio.
Easy Floats in Central Arkansas
You may have seen me on KATV 7 – Good Morning Arkansas (video at the link) this morning taking Ansley Watson on a quick float on the Little Maumelle River at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. I thought you might want to know more about this and other paddling opportunities in Central Arkansas. These floats are fun, easy, and accessible to almost anyone.
The Longest Yard – Arkansas’s Backyard Ultra
The Arkansas Ultra-Running Association season for 2023-2024 began on Saturday morning at the Arkansas Backyard Ultra in Cotter, Arkansas. The course is an out-and-back on an old railroad bed along the White River. The total distance is 4.1667 miles and is referred to as a yard. A yard must be completed within an hour. Every hour on the hour, the race resumes with all the participants who met the previous cut-off.
Pulaski County Schedules the Ribbon Cutting for the State’s Largest Inclusive Playground
PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (May 24, 2023) – Pulaski County will hold a rescheduled ribbon cutting for the new inclusive playground in Two Rivers Park on Thursday, June 15 at 10 a.m., located at 6722 Two Rivers Park Road in Pulaski County. The playground is the largest inclusive playground in Arkansas.
Pine Knob Mountain Bike Park Opens in Russellville
From small towns to cities, new trails are opening across the state. The Arkansas River Valley seems to be taking the lead in this growth. Last year we reported on new trails in Alma and Clarksville, Arkansas. This past weekend, Russellville upped the ante a bit by opening a bike park, a small one but still, a bike park. The Pine Knob Mountain Bike Park is built in Confederate Mothers Memorial Park near downtown Russellville. Surrounded by residential neighborhoods, this small park is designed to bring families out to enjoy the wooded area on foot or bike.
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Outdoor Recreation News from Arkansas with coverage of events and destinations mainly in the state. We cover Hiking, Camping, Mountain Biking, Road Cycling, Kayaking, Canoeing, Trail Running, Backpacking, Rock Climbing, and more.
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