Springdale trails agreement reached

SPRINGDALE — Bikers and hikers will have new trails to explore in rugged territory on the city’s east side.

The NWA Trailblazers is going to build eight to 10 miles of trails in the next nine months under an agreement the nonprofit group reached Monday morning with the city’s Water and Sewer Commission.

The water department owns about 120 acres on Fitzgerald Mountain, east of the intersection of Kendrick Avenue and Old Wire Road. The department maintains water tanks on the property. The mountain’s terrain makes it ideal for trails and difficult for other development, said Erin Rushing, the Trailblazer’s executive director.

“This will really fill a void in trails up here,” Rushing said after the meeting. “Bentonville and Rogers have natural surface trails, and Fayetteville does, but there is very little in Springdale.

“This location is rugged, has wonderful views from the mountain and great terrain, and it’s centrally located,” Rushing said. That ruggedness has left the water department’s property and adjoining land undeveloped and natural. “The top of the mountain doesn’t even have water service because it is above the water tanks,” he said.

The undeveloped property makes the mountain ideal for nature trails, he said. For instance, the canopy of trees is outstanding, Rushing said. “It is our best option in the area for really good quality trails,” he said.

Under the proposed agreement, the Bentonville-based Trailblazers would build the

natural surface trails. There would be no paving, lighting or other artificial structures. The group has acquired some property in the area and is planning to get more, through donations, acquisitions or a combination of both.

The nonprofit group plans to donate any property with trails to the water department or the city, which would be responsible for maintenance. The trails will have dirt or rock surfacing and be designed to be as maintenance-free as possible, Rushing said.

Heath Ward, Springdale’s water director, said his department’s concerns were fully addressed in talks with the Trailblazers. The safety of the water tanks, such as protection against vandalism, would be enhanced by having traffic and witnesses along the trails, he said. And the city will own the property, he said.

“To use an old phrase, we’re not going to give away the farm,” Ward said.

“Our property will dovetail into areas that are probably not otherwise usable,” Ward said. Rushing agreed, noting steep bluffs run along much of the mountain. These make for fine views from a trail, but prevent most other uses, he said.

In other business, the commission agreed to clarify department rules forbidding employees from using marijuana even though state voters have legalized medical marijuana. Many of the department’s employees hold commercial drivers licenses, meaning federal regulations bar them from such use already. Ward and the commissioners wanted to make sure the rules were clear, they said.

“Our property will dovetail into areas that are probably not otherwise usable.” — Springdale Water Director Heath Ward