The City of Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas Awarded Funding for the Oak Ridge Trail

11/06/2009

The City of Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas are proud to announce the receipt of a grant in the amount of $116,543.00 through the Recreational Trails Grant Program for a 1/2 mile section of the Oak Ridge Trail.  Mayor Lioneld Jordan stated, "This is more good news for Fayetteville and our marvelous trails network.  I have always been a big supporter of our trails and trails are a top priority of the City, so I was excited to learn today about this additional funding."

The Recreational Trails Grant Program provides approximately $1 million in Federal funding for trail projects throughout the state.  This award is the largest award the City has received through the Recreational Trails Grant Program.  The grant requires 20% local matching funds and these funds will be split between the City and the University of Arkansas, with each providing 10%. The Oak Ridge Trail project is estimated to cost $185,000.00, so the remaining funds to complete the project will also be split 50/50 between the City and the University of Arkansas.  The total cost to the City and the University is estimated to be $34,233.00 each.

The Oak Ridge trail will connect to Frisco Trail at Center Street and continue west along the north side of Center Street to Harmon Avenue.  The trail will then follow a vacant right of way through the wooded hillside between California Blvd. and the Business School and end at Garland Ave. near Pomfret Hall on the University of Arkansas Campus.  (A future phase of the trail will extend north between Stadium Dr. and Garland Ave. and connect to Razorback Stadium).  The Oak Ridge Trail will provide a safe alternative transportation route from the primary north-south trail of the system to the University of Arkansas and Fayetteville High School.

The trail will be designed by the City’s Trails Coordinator and other Engineering Staff and constructed by the City’s in-house trail construction crew with any necessary right of way and construction assistance provided by the University of Arkansas.    

Summary of the Recreational Trails Grant awards to the City of Fayetteville:

• 1997 Recreational Trails Grant (040271) - $20,000 - Three trailhead kiosks at Lake Fayetteville Status: Complete
• 2002 Recreational Trails Grant (040401)- $51,247 - Used for the Lake Fayetteville Spillway Bridge
  Status: Complete  
• 2003 Recreational Trails Grant (040425) - $20,000 - Was combined with the 2002 funds into one project and used for the Lake Fayetteville Spillway Bridge
  Status: Complete
• 2007 Recreational Trails Grant (040507) - $33,600 - Project underway to replace and existing narrow trail bridge on Mud Creek Trail and bring the trail into compliance with ADA. 
  Status: Complete
• 2008 Recreational Trails Grant (040530) - $60,000 - Project to extend Mud Creek Trail across Old Missouri Road to connect to Sweetbriar Drive. 
  Status: Final Design, construction by the end of 2009.