Springdale applies for ARDOT grants to build, upgrade trail
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.'
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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.
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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.
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