Razorback Regional Greenway

The Northwest Arkansas Razorback Regional Greenway (usually shortened to Razorback Regional Greenway or just Greenway in Northwest Arkansas) is a 40 miles (64 km) primarily off-road shared-use trail in Northwest Arkansas. Dedicated on May 2, 2015, the Greenway connects Kessler Mountain Regional Park in Fayetteville, Arkansas to north of Lake Bella Vista in Bella Vista, Arkansas,[1] while also serving schools, businesses and other cultural amenities along the route.[2] In 2023 the Greenway was designated as a National Recreation Trail and was added to the National Trail System.[3]

NWA Razorback Regional Greenway
Bridge over Lake Fayetteville near the trailhead
Length40 mi (64 km)
LocationNorthwest Arkansas, United States
TrailheadsWalker Park, Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville, Fayetteville
Goad Springs Rd, Lowell
Lake Bella Vista, Bella Vista
UseWalkers, joggers and cyclists
DifficultyEasy
SeasonAll
SightsDickson Street
Lake Fayetteville
Emma Avenue
Spring Creek
Lake Springdale
Pinnacle Hills Promenade
Walmart AMP
Downtown Bentonville
Compton Gardens
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Lake Bella Vista
Websitehttps://razorbackgreenway.org/

History

First envisioned by the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC) during long-range planning that identified regional trails, the project came to fruition following the creation of a task force, public meetings, and coordination among NWA communities. Initially, the route was to follow three historically significant routes in NWA: the Butterfield Overland Mail route; Civil War routes; and the Trail of Tears in conjunction with the Arkansas Heritage Trails program.

Funding

A grant from the Walton Family Foundation in 2009 for up to $15 million ($20.5 million in current dollars) requiring 1-to-1 match from partner cities provided a revenue source for planning and design. The routing was also finalized during public meetings to serve many community attractions. A $15 million ($20.1 million in current dollars) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration in 2010 assisted in right-of-way acquisition and construction of the project.[4] The Arkansas State Highway Commission also provided $855,000 ($1.09 million in current dollars) to the project.[5]

Usage

As of 2017, a report by the Walton Family Foundation, using data collected by San Diego State University, found that weekday bicycle volume (187 cyclists per day) and weekend volume (336 per day) had increased between 2015 and 2017 by 32% and 14% respectively.

Similarly, weekday pedestrian volume as of 2017 (166 pedestrians per day) and weekend volume (203 per day) had increased by about 5% and 19% respectively.

The report also found Northwest Arkansas's cyclists per capita to be 5.45 cyclists per 1,000 people, and pedestrians per capita to be 5.78 pedestrians per 1,000 people as of 2017.[6][7]

Community attractions

The Greenway serves the following community attractions:

See also

References
  1. Karst, Rayna (July 28, 2018). "Bella Vista Celebrates Razorback Greenway Trail Extension". Joplin Globe. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  2. Bartholomew, Dustin (April 17, 2015). "Razorback Regional Greenway To Celebrate Grand Opening". Fayetteville Flyer. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  3. "2023 national recreation trails - Office of Communications (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  4. Reed, Mary (April 3, 2013). "Unique Trail System to Link Six Communities". Construction Equipment Guide. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  5. Souza, Kim (March 7, 2012). "Springdale commits to finish trails". The City Wire. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  6. "Razorback Greenway continues to connect Northwest Arkansas communities". Arkansas Online. 2019-09-15. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  7. "2017 Northwest Arkansas Trail Usage Monitoring Report". Walton Family Foundation. 2018-03-26. Retrieved 2021-05-27.

36.33565°N 94.19035°W / 36.33565; -94.19035

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