Springdale secures $5.2 million for Dean’s Trail expansion, looking to improve city bike trails

SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The city of Springdale will be completing Dean’s Trail thanks to some help from the federal government.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Safe Streets and Roads for All” grant will pay $5,187,280 to Springdale, which will pay for the full cost of completion of Phase 3B of Dean’s Trail.

“We’re always trying to expand the active transportation network in general, whether that’s trails, bike lanes, whatever that may be,” Springdale’s active transportation coordinator Tristan Hill said.

Phase 3B will extend the trail from its tunnel underneath Don Tyson Parkway up to the intersection of Ivey Lane and South Old Missouri Road. There will be an above-grade crossing before reconnecting to the Lake Fayetteville trails loop and the Razorback Greenway.

The Department of Transportation’s project description said there’s a safety issue for walkers and bikers without the completion of Phase 3B, and Hill agrees this will solve that issue.

“It’ll help get people off Highway 412, Don Tyson (Parkway), Highway 265,” Hill said. “And give them a place to go to ride safely.”

Construction on Phase 3B is expected to begin “after the first of 2025,” Hill said.

Phase 3A added 1.5 miles at a $5.4 million price tag, which extended the trail from Highway 412 down around J.O. Kelly Middle School to Don Tyson Parkway. Construction on that began October 2023.

The city is working toward securing funding for another grant, applying for money from the State Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism to go toward mountain bike trail improvements at Mount Fitzgerald Park.

Ben Maddox, an avid biker from New Mexico, travels around the country to bike, surf and hike, among other activities. He said the possible improvements would be a “huge benefit” to the families in the nearby neighborhood, regardless of biking experience levels.

He said bike trail upgrades will provide a financial upside — due, in part, to the allure of potential tourists like himself coming to the area to ride — as well as health benefits.

“Biking’s great because it’s a great form of exercise,” Maddox said. “It’s not as hard on the knees as running. A lot of people like to run. A lot of people like to get outdoors, and biking is just a wonderful way to do a variety of different trails.”

Hill said the trail expansion project is something the city is excited about.

“It’s going to add a lot of active and alternate transportation options for folks who might have normally had to take a car, or might not have had an option to safely bike or walk,” Hill said.

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