Trail Flow is a roundup of all the mountain bike trail related news of the week including new trail builds, advocacy, and planning. Do you have trail news? Email [email protected] for possible inclusion.
City of Benton, Arkansas unveils bike park plans
Not to be confused with Bentonville, Benton, Arkansas has plans for a bike park of its own. The town, located about 20 miles southwest of Little Rock, recently shared a finalized concept plan for a skills park that also includes 1.3 miles of trails. According to a post on the city’s Facebook page, “The design that will eventually connect to Benton’s existing park system including Ralph Bunche Park, the future Southwest Trail, and paved greenway trails.”
The city is partnering with Arkansas Parks & Recreation Foundation, Progressive Trail Design and McClelland Consulting Engineers, Inc. for the project. Like many recent bike park projects, the Benton Bike Park will also be home to the local NICA team. Construction is scheduled to begin this year.
Eau Claire mountain bikers push for bike skills area
Eau Claire mountain bikers are on a roll. After successfully petitioning the city for trails at the City Well Fields earlier this year, CORBA is now pushing for a bike skills park at Lowes Creek Park. According to volumeone.org, the group is hosting a public input session May 17 from 6-8p at SHIFT Cyclery & Coffee Bar.
New MTB trail opens in Alabama
A professionally built mountain bike trail opened in Florence, Alabama, designed with local group Shoals MTB. The concept for the trail started about two years ago and is the first of six planned developments. The new beginner trail is located in Wildwood Park.
Boulder, Colorado trail reroute coming in 2024
The Wapiti Trail in Boulder, Colorado’s Heil Valley trail network will be rerouted in 2024, pending approval by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Construction is expected to start this summer and will continue through 2024. A section of the trail has been closed to protect a golden eagle nest.
