Comments from the public in favor of the downhill trails project outnumbered opposing views 16-2 at Monday’s city council meeting. Judy Montgomery stated Huss “was the best thing that ever happened to this town,” and council should not get in his way.
Jacqueline Wolven focused on the economic benefit of the happiness factor – something a person can feel in a city – and how it contributes to progress.
Herman Owens said he moved here because of access to mountain biking trails that entice kids into nature and teach self-awareness and self-reliance. He envisioned opponents of the new trails eventually changing their opinions.
Pat Costner, however, urged an immediate moratorium on the trails project until proper groundwork is done, including an inventory of flora and fauna, identifying whether there are rare species in the park or any critical habitats. Also to be considered were geological features, stone formations and archeological features.
Costner also pointed out that the Walton Family Foundation has a strong commitment to communities and the environment, while NWA Trailblazers professes a commitment to community outreach, but that Huss must not have informed either party fully because the project as it has unfolded runs counter to those values.
Adam Biossat said the new trails would be part of an economic boom in the area. He has seen the increase in activity at LLCP in recent years, and expected the project “will pay off big,” and said the environmental concerns had been addressed.
Speaker after speaker followed supporting the project. Eric Seay said the new trails were driving an economic engine for local businesses and providing a reason for younger folks to want to live here. Chad Manus noticed more and more visitors with bike racks driving around town, and considered the new trails bringing in “the demographic we’ve been longing for.”
Brannon Pack, executive director of the Ozark Off Road Cyclists, said the Fat Tire Festival every year brings in hundreds of enthusiasts for two or three days, and after they ride they spend money in town. He said the downhill trails “will put heads in beds and people in restaurants.”
Jahmey Hamilton said he was only 17 and an avid cyclist, so the trails at LLCP are important to him. He pointed out that for the past two years, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association has held state races at LLCP, which brings teens from all over the state to town for an exciting event they will remember.
Denton West said he gave a guided ride the day before to folks from out-of-state who brought their bikes. He encountered riders from Colorado who traveled to Eureka Springs to ride our trails. “The new trails are nothing but good for town,” he said. “Victorian homes are cool, but they won’t support us into the future.”
Kent Butler said the downhill trails project makes him want to live in town for the rest of his life, and he expects more cycling events to occur in town from now on. He said he likes that Huss has done what he said he would do by trying to connect in-town trails and expand trails at LLCP. Butler also mentioned five miles of biking trails will open on the grounds of the Great Passion Play in May, thanks to Tom Walton, with more trails to come.
Jay Ertel called the new project the most exciting news in town in 30 years. Four others voiced support of Parks in general and the new trails in particular because cycling is something families can do together when they visit, and it might give them a reason to return.