Residents Show Support For Proposed Jane Trails

Residents who attended a meeting Monday night about proposed trails for the village of Jane were mainly in support of the trails.

Elizabeth Bowen of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission said Arkansas has adopted 27 plans for trails, and Missouri has adopted one. The proposed plan for Jane was based on a meeting in March 2017 that the entire county was invited to attend. At that meeting, people drew on maps their suggested routes for trails in McDonald County. From those suggestions, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission came up with a plan to present Monday night and wanted to hear feedback from the community about whether they would like to have those trails adopted.

Bowen noted Jane does not have eminent domain, so it cannot forcibly place a trail on someone’s property. That is a common concern, she said.

Bill Martin, the board of trustees chairman for Jane, said, “At this meeting, this is not a decision to build a trail at all.” He said more public hearings would be needed and a vote by the planning commission and the board of trustees. Plus, he said, “To put it bluntly, we’re broke.”

Martin also noted the most needed trails are sidewalks by the school.

The reactions of the public to the trails were mainly positive. Several people said they have walked the trails in Bella Vista, Ark., and would like to see trails come to Jane.

One family, residents of Skaggs Road, said they did not want a trail on their property. Bowen said she would take that trail off the proposal but that, since Skaggs Road is a county road, it could come up again when the county trails are proposed.

Several people had positive comments. One resident said of the trails in Bella Vista, “It’s always very clean and peaceful. The people are friendly. I think it’s a great idea.”

Another who had also been to Bella Vista commented, “I have hopes that it can work here too. It seems to bring people together.”

Kenneth Mickelson of Jane said, “I’m a big supporter of the trails.” He walks the trails in Bella Vista, he said. “I love speaking to all the people down there. Everybody I’ve talked to down there has been friendly and nice. I look forward to our community having the same advantages they do.”

Dan and Coleen Moore, who live near Jane, said they are in favor of the trails.

Dan said, “We go to Lake Bella Vista and use that trail.”

Coleen added, “We walk the Fayetteville trails a lot.”

Dan continued, “I don’t think people realize the positive impact. It brings people to your area and they spend money.”

Coleen said, “Certainly we need sidewalks by the school. Safety-wise (trails are) a good idea. And healthwise, getting out and walking on the street is not a good idea.”