Master plan sought to improve military park trails

From Staff Reports

Pea Ridge National Military Park officials have the future in mind as they create a master plan to expand the park's trail system.

"What we're trying to do at this park is not only provide the programs and things of that nature, but also work on the park's structures, trails, buildings and get everything ready for the next 100 years, and this plan is part of that," said Kevin Eads, park superintendent.

The park sits on 4,300 acres and was established in 1956 to honor the 1862 Civil War battle at the same location.

"Everything in the park -- the structures and facilities -- were put in at pretty much the same time, and that was between 1962 and 1964, and they have really not expanded since that time," Eads said.

Park officials will conduct an environmental assessment that will help shape plans to develop the park.

"We are seeking public input to come up with ideas to be considered in the development of the trails, and that will go into the environmental assessment," Eads said. "It's a fundamental piece because we are a public agency and we want public input."

Eads will host an open house at the park's Visitors' Center from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 22.

Those who cannot attend the open house can read and comment on documents about the park's initiative at www.parkplanning.nps.gov.

Park officials want to expand and improve the park in various ways that will benefit hikers, sightseers, bicyclers and horseback riders.

Eads said he has been considering ideas for park improvements for about 10 years.

Pea Ridge Mayor Jackie Crabtree, who also serves as the chairman of the Pea Ridge National Military Park Foundation, said improvements have been discussed between park and city officials for a couple years.

"There's some opportunities now that are giving us momentum in getting these things done," Crabtree said.

Last year's cultural landscape report recommended historic roads be used to expand the park's hiking trail system and interconnect trail loops.

The historic roads, which are about 4 to 5 feet wide, have eroded and sunk and would have to be repaired. In some places brush has to be cleared before the roads can connect to the trails, Eads said.

Hiking trail loops at the park are 7 miles in combined length and 4 to 5 feet wide.

The trails could be expanded in width, but the historic roads would not be altered to maintain their historical authenticity, Eads said.

"One of the issues we're having currently with our trail system is whenever you follow it, it doesn't chronologically follow the way the battle occurred," he said.

The plan will call for signs and mile markers to help visitors move along a historically accurate timeline, Eads said.

The park features a 9-mile loop and 5-mile loop for horseback riding, but some areas in the loops erode because of rain and have to be closed.

"This master trail plan will be looking at that trail to see if there's a better location so that it doesn't erode and is not affected as much by the spring rains so that we can leave it open," Eads said.

The park also has a 9-mile tour road used by bicyclists.

Eads said he hopes trails dedicated to bicycling will be developed and connect to biking trails beyond the park as part of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

The Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission met with park officials to discuss creating routes that would connect the park to Pea Ridge, Avoca, Rogers and the Razorback Regional Greenway, said Elizabeth Bowen, project manager for the commission. The greenway is a 36-mile trail stretching from Fayetteville to Lake Bella Vista.

The Planning Commission and Alta Planning and Design helped 25 Benton and Washington county cities develop master plans, Bowen said.

Crabtree looks forward to biking trails that connect the park to the city and other Northwest Arkansas trails.

"It's probably a several-year process," Crabtree said. "I think it gives more people an opportunity to get out to the park; it adds another aspect to the overall use of the park."

Eads said he hopes to have the master trail plan finalized by January or February. Funding must be procured before the park can be further developed.