Parks Chair Bill Featherstone recapped the saga of the Transportation Alternative Program grant from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department of $63,700, which originally would have been for a pathway from Harmon Park to Clear Spring School. However, specifications for that project exceeded what had been anticipated, so the state agreed the money could be diverted, but only to a sidewalk or trail project.
Featherstone said two choices would be for a sidewalk from the top of Planer Hill west along US 62 to the Community Center or for a fitness trail around the perimeter of the Community Center property. He commented that the TAP grant, plus $40,000 already targeted for the fitness trail, might be enough to complete it.
He reminded commissioners the Community Center will eventually become the trail hub connecting all branches of the urban trail system, plus he envisioned the fitness trail would be used regularly by locals. If there are funds left over after the fitness trail, he suggested it could go toward the sidewalk.
Featherstone added he expected the city would apply for other TAP grants in the future.
Vote to direct the grant funds toward the fitness trail was unanimous.