A $350,000 grant from the Oaklawn Foundation will allow Hot Springs’ nationally recognized Northwoods Trails System to expand the trails, open two of the property’s lakes to water activities and set up a kayak rental venue, among other projects.
“We are beyond grateful and excited for the Oaklawn Foundation grant award and what it will allow us to accomplish within an already amazing amenity for our community and visitors,” said Traci Berry, trail coordinator for Visit Hot Springs. “We are stoked for the community ownership this has the potential of creating.”
Specifically, the grant would fund four projects:
- Expansion of the trail system around Sanderson Lake, the last of the three lakes on the 2,000-acre city property to have trail developed around it.
- Opening of the upper two lakes on the property to limited non-motorized water activity.
- Leasing of a kayak rental kiosk for water recreation use.
- Redesigning and printing of all trail signage with the addition of water trail signage.
“The Oaklawn Foundation is proud to support the Northwoods Trail Expansion, an investment that strengthens our community’s access to outdoor recreation and promotes healthy living for young and old, improving the quality of life for the residents of Garland County,” said Briana Moore, chair of the Oaklawn Foundation board.
Berry said “The addition of these projects at the Northwoods site will continue the amazing progress we have made in opening this beautiful Hot Springs resource for a wonderful healthful recreation for our residents and the visitors who find still one more reason to make Hot Springs their choice for vacation,” City Manager Bill Burrough said.
Arkansas-based Affordable Trail Solutions has been contracted to build the trails.
“The project this Oaklawn Foundation grant is funding will expand the Northwoods Waterworks Trails from 22.5 miles to almost 30 miles,” Berry said. “When you combine that with Cedar Glades Park, it will result in Hot Springs having a 40-mile world-class, stacked loop trail system that has something for all age and ability levels, and something for different riding styles in green, blue, and black level trails. It will also give us an additional mile of double track that is open to mountain biking, hiking and trail running, less than 10 minutes from downtown Hot Springs National Park. A trail system that is easily accessible, yet feels like you are in a remote, backcountry setting.”
Much like ski slopes, mountain bike trails can be rated as a suggestion of the skill needed to ride the different level or rating of trail — green for beginners (easiest), blue for intermediate and black for advanced.
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