HISTORY
History of the Greenway
The Northwest Arkansas Razorback Regional Greenway is a project that has been years in the making. The concept of a regional greenway project has been a goal of regional planners, cities, and residents of northwest Arkansas for more than two decades. This vision was supported by the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC), which in 2000 began a long-range planning process that included regional trails as a key component. A task force formed by the NWARPC conducted public meetings and facilitated a coordinated effort among the communities of northwest Arkansas.
The Green Team
Left to right: Tom Woiwode, Chuck Flink, Jason Reyes, Bob Searns, Maya Argwal, Dwight Heasley, Andy Clarke, Janet Post, Rob Brothers and Jeff Olson. |
Creating A Vision
At the conclusion of a three day charette, this photo shows the vision map produced for the Northwest Arkansas Razorback Regional Greenway.
Photo by Chuck Flink |
First Draft: Historic Routes
Early on, the task force identified three historic routes as the potential components for a regional trail: the Butterfield Stage Coach route; Civil War routes; and the Trail of Tears. These were combined with local trails to form what was then called the “Northwest Arkansas Heritage Trail.” The Heritage Trail Plan was adopted as the regional plan for two consecutive MPO long range transportation plan updates. This plan would require much of the regional trail to be constructed on roadways, as either a signed route or specially designated on-road facility. As a part of the regional trail update for the 2035 long range plan, discussion focused on an additional off-road system that worked in conjunction with the road based system.
Off-Road Planning Begins
The Walton Family Foundation has been active for many years in northwest Arkansas trail construction. In July 2009 the foundation approved funding up to $15 million in northwest Arkansas trails, subject to a 1:1 match from participating cities. In late 2009, it also provided funding to hire a planning and design team with experience in the development of an off-road bicycle, pedestrian and mobility corridor, to provide guidance and set priorities in the overall regional trail development. The “Green Team” was selected to complete the planning work. The Green Team is a group of experienced greenway planners including, Alta Planning + Design, Portland, Oregon; Greenways, Incorporated, Durham, North Carolina; The Greenway Team, Denver, Colorado; Thomas Woiwode, Detroit, Michigan;, the League of American Bicyclists, Washington, D.C.; and CEI Engineering, Bentonville, Arkansas.
In March and April 2010, the Green Team led a series of community workshops to define the route for an off-road greenway trail that would link together six communities in northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville, Johnson, Springdale, Lowell, Rogers and Bentonville). A series of four planning and design memorandums were produced by the Green Team summarizing the results and findings of the work. The first memo profiled existing and potential trails, aspirations and opportunities for a regional greenway project. The second memo examined funding opportunities that would support full development of a regional greenway. The third memo provided a summary of the proposed route for the Razorback Regional Greenway. The final memo defined a trail design.
In March and April 2010, the Green Team led a series of community workshops to define the route for an off-road greenway trail that would link together six communities in northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville, Johnson, Springdale, Lowell, Rogers and Bentonville). A series of four planning and design memorandums were produced by the Green Team summarizing the results and findings of the work. The first memo profiled existing and potential trails, aspirations and opportunities for a regional greenway project. The second memo examined funding opportunities that would support full development of a regional greenway. The third memo provided a summary of the proposed route for the Razorback Regional Greenway. The final memo defined a trail design.
Vision Becomes Reality
The Razorback Regional Greenway is now envisioned as a 36-mile, primarily off-road, shared use trail that extends from the Bella Vista Trail in north Bentonville south to the Frisco Trail in south Fayetteville. The trail links together dozens of popular community destinations including:
six downtown areas;
To date, 14.2 miles of the planned route have been built and are in use. The remaining 21.8 miles is either in a planning or design phase.
In order to realize the dream of a long-distance, interconnected, off-road, shared-use greenway trail, the communities of northwest Arkansas need to fund both future development of the trail and long-term operations and management of the project.
six downtown areas;
- three major hospitals;
- 23 schools;
- the University of Arkansas campus;
- corporate headquarters of Walmart, JB Hunt and Tyson Foods;
- arts and entertainment venues;
- shopping areas;
- historic sites;
- parks;
- playgrounds, and;
- residential communities.
To date, 14.2 miles of the planned route have been built and are in use. The remaining 21.8 miles is either in a planning or design phase.
In order to realize the dream of a long-distance, interconnected, off-road, shared-use greenway trail, the communities of northwest Arkansas need to fund both future development of the trail and long-term operations and management of the project.
Federal Funding
The Green Team estimated the total project development costs would exceed $38 million. In November 2010, the Razorback Regional Greenway was awarded a $15 million TIGER II (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Grant to fund design, acquisition of right-of-way, and construction for a designated portion of the Razorback Regional Greenway. The Walton Family Foundation agreed to use a portion of its trail funding commitment to meet the required match for the federal grant. The federally funded portion of the trail extends approximately 16 miles from the north end of Lake Fayetteville to the Horsebarn Road Trailhead in Rogers. The foundation also agreed to work to utilize further funding to meet an overall trail project 1:1 match, which in conjunction with the federal grant dollars, would allow the entire base trail to be completed. Further amenities such as lighting, landscaping and trail head enhancements will require an additional estimated $8 million in private or municipal funding to fully complete the project.
In December 2010, the NWARPC conducted a national search for a planning and design team to complete the plans, specifications, engineering, and cost estimates for the federally funded portion (16 miles) of the Razorback Regional Greenway. In May 2011, after reviewing numerous submittals, the NWARPC recommended the Green Team to prepare the necessary work to complete the federally funded portion of the project.
In December 2010, the NWARPC conducted a national search for a planning and design team to complete the plans, specifications, engineering, and cost estimates for the federally funded portion (16 miles) of the Razorback Regional Greenway. In May 2011, after reviewing numerous submittals, the NWARPC recommended the Green Team to prepare the necessary work to complete the federally funded portion of the project.
The Future
The completion of the Razorback Regional Greenway will improve the quality of life for residents in the region, as well as promote active lifestyles, alternative transportation, economic opportunities and healthy living. The full greenway is estimated to be complete by 12/31/13.
