Nicky Boyette – A crowd of more than 50 gathered at the cafeteria of the old high school for a town meeting and exchange ideas among the Parks Commission, the Community Center Foundation, and the community regarding use of the property in general, but in particular as a hub for the urban trail system.
Foundation Chair Diane Murphy broke the news that the Foundation had met its initial fundraising goal of raising $200,000 which would enable it to “launch the lease” and take over possession of the property from the Eureka Springs School Board as soon as the final few legal obstacles are resolved. She said $40,000 of the total has been dedicated to creating a trail hub at the community center.
Bill Featherstone, chair Parks, said intent of the urban trail system is to connect sections of trails in town with those around Black Bass Lake and eventually out to the 25 miles of trails at Lake Leatherwood City Park so one could start in town, make the loop and get back to town. His goal is for the trail system to be designated as an “epic trail,” a special category of which there are only five in Arkansas.
Featherstone introduced Guy Hedlund, landscape architect and National Parks Service employee who deals with rivers, trails and conservation. Hedlund narrated a slideshow highlighting features being proposed for the community center:
- Trail hub, with access to trails in all directions along with maps and shelter
- Solar panels that not only power the community center, but can be constructed to provide mobile charging stations and shade for someone needing to rest
- An ADA-accessible perimeter trail around the community center grounds
- Fitness components along the way
- Native plant gardens
- Bike parking and repair stations
- Water stations
- Picnic tables and group areas
Attendees then gathered at five stations to brainstorm for 30 minutes. Each group had a facilitator who recorded ideas and suggestions. Comments include:
- Consider the impact of possible widening of US 62 through the area
- Music or movies under the stars
- Water park
- After school programs
- Bike rentals (moneymaker)
- Bike racks on public transit
- Dig a well and build a water tower
- Rickshaw business
- No spray zone
- Pet way stations
- Non-invasive plants
- Appeal to students
- Permeable parking lots
- Design contest for the various features
- Adventure park – learn to ride a mountain bike
- Sustainability at every level
- Connect trails to the schools
- Food truck at the trail hub
- Cooking classes
- Security for the trails
- Interpretative panels for plants and animals
- Continuing education classes
- City meetings on site
- Sculpture garden
- Pollinator garden
- Tennis courts
- Business incubators for community development
- Trails Weekend event (like other festivals in town).
Murphy said the intention of the Foundation is to work with Parks, the Trails Committee and the community to prioritize the list. “First comes the big vision and then all the components. This is just the start,” she said.
Soon, the Foundation can launch the lease, and the first order of business will be to create a management structure to put the vision in motion. The school district will raze B-100, improvements will begin, the farmers’ market can relocate to the site, for example, and, as buildings are ready, programming can begin.
But, Murphy pointed out, it will take volunteers in leadership roles to get things started, and the Foundation will have to find a way to effectively communicate its needs to the community.