Arkansas River Trail
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Arkansas River Trail | |
|---|---|
 Location of the Arkansas River Trail |
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| Length | 14 miles |
| Location | Arkansas, United States |
| Trailheads | Little Rock, Arkansas North Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Use | Hiking, Cycling, Jogging |
| Elevation Change | negligible |
| Trail Difficulty | Easy |
| Season | All |
| Sights | Arkansas River, Pinnacle Mountain, Big Rock, the Little Rock, William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park, The Medical Mile, the Big Dam Bridge, North Little Rock's Burns Park |
The Arkansas River Trail is a recreation rail trail that runs 14 miles in along both sides of the Arkansas River in Central Arkansas. The trail is open for use by hikers, joggers, and cyclists year-round. The trail is made up of asphalt creating a hard flat surface.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Arkansas River Trail began with funding from a $1.9 million dollar bond issue from the City of Little Rock in 2003. Further fund raising spearheaded by trail organizer Terry Eastin and others has resulted in a trail that runs for approximately 14 miles on both sides of the Arkansas River. When complete in the next few years the trail will run for a total of 24 miles and include a loop from downtown Little Rock/North Little Rock on the east to the Big Dam Bridge on the west. There will also be a western link to Pinnacle Mountain State Park and the 225 mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail beyond. The trail includes part of the former Little Rock & Western short line railroad right-of-way. Most of the right-of-way are still in use by the railroad and are therefore run adjacent to the trail but are not part of it. [1]
[edit] Issues
[edit] Baring Cross
Of the three railroad spans in the downtown area one is still in use by the Union Pacific railroad. There has been some wrangling over where to build a pedestrian/bicycle bridge and uncertainty whether the railroad would grant permission to do so. Union Pacific has given tentative approval to plans to build a small bridge near the Little Rock (Amtrak station) also known as Union Station.
[edit] Rock Island and Junction Bridges
There are plans to turn both of these former railroad bridges into pedestrian bridges.
Renovation is currently underway on the Junction Bridge (built on La Petit Roche or the Little Rock) which connects the two cities riverfront parks. It will be accessed via stairs and elevators and appeal primarily to sight-seers and tourists.
Renovation of The Rock Island bridge, to be paid for by the Clinton Foundation has proven more difficult as the foundation didn't expect the price of steel to spike. The foundation is currently seeking further sources of funding before beginning work on the Rock Island bridge. [2]
[edit] External links
- Arkansas River Trail maps, events, businesses, services, and more
- The Rails To Trails Conservancy website with information on the Arkansas River Trail
- American Trails web page on the Arkansas River Trail
