The National Park Service is seeking public input regarding a proposed trail connection from downtown Hot Springs across Hot Springs National Park property and into city property now known as Northwoods Urban Forest Park.
The Park Service, in partnership with the city of Hot Springs and Visit Hot Springs, with technical assistance from the International Mountain Bicycling Association, proposes extending an existing road that lies north of Pullman Avenue to connect to the new city trail network, according to a news release from the city of Hot Springs.
The Park Service, in partnership with the city of Hot Springs and Visit Hot Springs, will host a public open house on Tuesday, Jan., 30 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Transportation Depot, 100 Broadway Terrace to provide the opportunity for the public to learn about the proposal and provide feedback, according to the Park Service's project website at https://goo.gl/tDAxYV.
Written comments can also be submitted online by accessing the website during the project scoping period, which runs through Feb. 16, and during the 30-day public review period that will follow the release of an environmental assessment.
The Park Service's website says it is preparing an environmental assessment to evaluate the proposed trail connection in a manner that complies with the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the NPS Bike Rule, Hot Springs National Park resources and values, and other applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
The project would connect the Park Avenue area of the city to its Northwoods Urban Forest Park and Cedar Glades Park trail network that is currently under construction. The proposed new trail through Hot Springs National Park would begin in 2018.
"It's part of the formal process that the NPS has in place to approve requests to cross their property," Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs, said Friday.
Hot Springs National Park Superintendent Josie Fernandez and her staff at Hot Springs National Park "have been very supportive of our request and I do not anticipate any negative comments from the public on the proposal. This is a positive not only for our new trail system but also for Hot Springs National Park," Arrison said.
As currently proposed, the new trail would be a multiuse, natural soil trail of a gentle grade to accommodate recreational uses, such as hiking and biking, according to the Park Service's website.
"The trail connection would be designed as a safe, sustainable, and planned route that would be maintained by community partnerships for the recreational and health benefit of local residents and visitors. This proposal does not include any existing park trails, which are not and will not be open to bicycles," the Park Service website said.
All comments, questions, and suggestions related to the project are welcome, according to the website, which also said that, during the public scoping period, the following types of comments are "particularly helpful:"
• Information about the project area that should be considered during the analysis of the trail connection.
• Information about how individuals use the project area and how the project might affect that use.
• Other projects or activities that might affect or be affected by the project.
• Other ideas or alternative ways of meeting the project objectives.
Email [email protected] for more information.
Local on 01/21/2018