Springdale applies for ARDOT grants to build, upgrade trail
SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The city of Springdale is applying for two grants from the Arkansas Department of Transportation to build and repair two trails.
The city is seeking an approximately $229,600 grant from ARDOT's Transportation Alternatives Program for the Pride of Springdale Trail, Tristan Hill, the city's active transportation coordinator, said. In a memo to Mayor Doug Sprouse and the city council April 9, the city estimates upgrades to Thunder Chicken Trailhead will cost a total of $146,000 — $116,800 of which will come courtesy of ARDOT's Recreational Trails Program grant.
'We're always looking for opportunities to expand the trail network in Springdale,' Hill said. 'The recreational benefits, we don't have to explain to anybody. Those are well-known at this point. The economic benefits, having a trail adjacent to your property can increase your property value. The tourism and economic benefits, the amount of people it brings in, it brings sales tax revenue to the city.'
NWA city set to pave 11 miles of road across next 2 years
If awarded the grant, the city will build a bikeable trail alongside Har-Ber Avenue from 48th Street to Gene George Boulevard as part of the Pride of Springdale Trail. The city's still determining whether there will either be a two-way bicycle path on one side of Har-Ber Avenue, or two separate bike paths that go with the flow of traffic, Hill said.
The Pride of Springdale Trail will serve as an extension of the bike path on the Emma Avenue overpass that is being constructed over Interstate 49. Hill said the goal is for the Pride of Springdale to eventually connect Springdale High School to Har-Ber High School.
'That's going to be one of our major East-to-West routes in the long term once it's all said and done,' Hill said. 'I-49 has been a pretty major barrier to some of the East-West connections in Springdale. And so, just trying to figure out ways to tie the neighborhoods surrounding back into that overpass so you can safely cross the interstate.'
Thunder Chicken Trail will be getting more cosmetic upgrades to create a more 'family-friendly, beginner-oriented' mountain bike park, Hill said.
Hill said some wooden features along Thunder Chicken Trail have been degraded over time, and a portion of the trail needs to be reconnected after a project done by Springdale Water Utilities at the nearby sewer treatment plant. There is also set to be rock replacement, installation of culverts and placement of topsoil, seed and straw, according to the memo sent to the mayor and city council.
2 U of A students have visas reinstated after DHS termination
Jeff Peak is an avid cyclist from Northwest Arkansas, saying he's biked more than 2,000 miles this year. He said Springdale does a good job of maintaining its trails and is excited for the future upgrades on the horizon.
'I have faith in Springdale because they've done such a beautiful job so far,' Peak said. 'Any expansions that they do or any added value to this bike system through here would be greatly appreciated.'
Hill said the grant application for the Pride of Springdale was filed Friday, while still needing to fill out the Thunder Chicken Trail application. The deadline to file for the application is Wednesday.
Hill estimates, if awarded the grants, the projects will be completed by summer 2026.
Peak said one upgrade he'd like to see along the trails could be more designated rest areas with restrooms and water fountains. Hill said if you have a suggestion for upgrades you'd like to see or where a new trailhead could be, he encourages you to reach out to the city or to your elected officials.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
GOODBY SILVERSTEIN & PARTNERS TAKES HOME "BEST OF SHOW" AT THE 2025 AAF AMERICAN ADVERTISING AWARDS
"The Other Hand" for Cheetos Wins Best of Show; Work From BYU AdLab for Crayola Captures Best of Show in the Student Competition WASHINGTON, June 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A campaign from Goodby Silverstein & Partners for Cheetos ("The Other Hand") was named "Best of Show" at the 2025 American Advertising Awards, sponsored by AAF. The winner was announced at a Gala Awards Ceremony as part of AAF's ADMERICA annual conference held in Pittsburgh, PA. The event was hosted by Nina Parker, the Emmy-nominated television personality. Work from BYU AdLab for Crayola ("Ink Up, Wash Out") was named "Best of Show" winner in the Student portion of the competition. The American Advertising Awards are widely acknowledged as the largest and most representative competition of its kind. Campaigns need to advance through both local and regional levels of the three-tier competition before they can become eligible for the national prize. In all, just 51 Gold ADDYs were awarded among Professionals. "Competition in the ADDYs gives us a chance to see how we stack up against the best in the business," said Chris Beresford-Hill, Worldwide Chief Creative Officer at BBDO who served as the first-ever Competition Chair for this Year's American Advertising Awards. "It's exciting to measure our work against the industry's top talents and learn from what others are doing. It pushes us all to elevate our game." He added, "I'm thrilled to see so much exceptional work being recognized through the ADDYs. Celebrating these achievements not only highlights our creativity but also reinforces the impact of effective advertising on our clients' success." "The Other Hand" campaign notes how "99% of people eat Cheetos with their dominant hand. Using your other hand? It's a Cheetos thing." It's the second time in the past three years that work for Cheetos from Goodby Silverstein & Partners has taken home "Best of Show." In addition to the overall "Bests of Show," other notable campaigns recognized at this year's American Advertising Awards included: Special Judges Awards were presented to Rise and Shine & Partners for "Supercuts Real Dumb Coupon" for Regis Corporation; Goodby Silverstein & Partners for "Ask Dali" for the Dali Museum; and BBDO Worldwide for "Tail Orchestra" for Pedigree Three Mosaic ADDYs for work that exemplifies a spirit of diversity and inclusion were presented to Whiskey Design for its "Artisan Remix Can Series" for Vine Street Brewing; Cannonball, for the "Superhero Project" for Superhero Project; and Harris Media Company for "When We Got the Call" for the LifeCenter Organ Donor Network You can view these Special Awards, along with all of the winning work, at Summing up, Beresford-Hill said, "Congratulations to all the winners of this year's ADDY Awards! Your creativity and hard work exemplify the best of our industry. You've set the bar high for all of us!" ABOUT AAF The AAF's Board of Directors guides and oversees the Federation's signature events and initiatives, including the Advertising Hall of Fame, Advertising Hall of Achievement, American Advertising Awards, Advertising Day on the Hill, Most Promising Multicultural Students Program, and HBCUs for Advertising – all serving the Federation's 35,000+ professional members nationwide, 4,000+ students and educators, and more than 60+ corporate members spanning media and tech companies, advertisers and agencies. Established in 1905, the American Advertising Federation (AAF), acts as "The Unifying Voice for Advertising." Visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE American Advertising Federation Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Judge rules City of Fort Smith violated Freedom of Information Act following failed hire
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A Sebastian County judge has ruled that the City of Fort Smith and its acting city administrator violated the state's Freedom of Information Act. Fort Smith-based attorneys Joey McCutchen and Stephen Napurano filed the lawsuit against the city on May 2 after claiming Fort Smith failed to provide all public records related to the hiring of Rebecca Cowan as internal auditor. Cowan was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors on April 22, but the offer was rescinded after it was revealed she had a pending felony stalking charge. The City of Fort Smith told Talk Business & Politics, 'Human Resources produced the background check and relayed the information to Administration per City protocol.' Acting City Administrator Jeff Dingman, in an email to McCutchen, said, 'The background check information was delivered in hard copy. That record no longer exists. The Chief Human Resources Officer does not have a copy of the packet that was delivered. There is no hard copy.' An email from Dingman, not included in the city's FOIA response, was later obtained directly from a board member, according to the lawsuit. This email stated that Dingman 'did not believe a background check was performed.' The lawsuit also alleged the city failed to respond in a timely manner and may have withheld or destroyed public records. Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club awards $64K in 2025-26 college scholarships On June 3, the judge assigned to the lawsuit ruled in favor of McCutchen and Napurano during a hearing. An order, officially filed on June 5, said 'The Defendants' failure to timely respond, thefailure to provide clearly responsive records, the absence of any valid extension or waiver, and the troubling lack of transparency regarding the missing background check' were reasons as to why the city was ruled to have violated the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. A spokesperson from the City of Fort Smith gave the following statement to KNWA/FOX24 in response to the judge's ruling: 'While the City of Fort Smith provided all relevant documents in response to Mr. McCutchen's FOIA request, we did not meet the three-business-day deadline outlined in the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act and missed the deadline by two business days. The City remains committed to operating with transparency and integrity in all public records processes.' The ruling said the city will be responsible for paying attorney fees to McCutchen and Napurano. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
City of Siloam Springs to discuss code update with residents
SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The City of Siloam Springs will host a stakeholder roundtable on Monday, June 9, at 2:30 p.m. at City Hall Board Room to discuss the city's Unified Development Code update. The public is invited to attend. A news release from the city states that feedback from residents has shaped what is in the UDC. Work on the UDC resumed after a short pause to review pending legislation from the Arkansas State Legislature. On May 20, city planning staff held a workshop with the Siloam Springs Board of Directors to provide an update on the code's progress The meeting will be livestreamed on the city's YouTube channel and on Cox Channel 245. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
