Local officials unveiled the opening of the Monument Trail system at Pinnacle Mountain State Park and the groundbreaking of new trails at River Mountain Park and Two Rivers Park in Little Rock during a press conference on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
Gathered at the Robinson Center, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr., Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Stacy Hurst, Little Rock City Director Capi Peck, Walton Personal Philanthropy Group senior program officer Gary Vernon and Arkanas Parks & Recreation Foundation executive director Suzanne Grobmyer highlighted the importance of the recently opened 13-mile Monument Trail system for the local and state economy.
Grobmyer said the two new trail systems are poised to make Arkansas a major destination for biking tourism, particularly when combined with existing trail systems throughout Northwest Arkansas.
“Pinnacle Mountain is truly one of a kind and the new trails there highlight the beauty of this park in never before seen ways,” Grobmyer said. “As we look to our work with the City of Little Rock, we seek to expand the diversity of experiences and establish a new sense of place within two well-loved parks.”
Scott focused on the parks’ role as an equalizer, saying that the parks attracted individuals and groups from across populations, races, genders and more to enjoy the outdoors. For Scott, the new trails are an opportunity for innovation that showcases the city’s “most previous assets:” its parks and trail systems.
Pinnacle Mountain State Park will be adding five more miles of trails, accessible to River Mountain Park and Two Rivers Park through Pinnacle Valley Road. This trail stretch is set to open in early summer 2021 with the build to last through late 2020 and winter 2021.
In total, this trail will feature 10 miles of mountain bike trails, featuring a beginner’s bike park at Two Rivers Park and 300 feet of elevation change.
According to figures provided by the Arkansas Parks & Recreation Foundation, the Monument Trails was funded by $2 million in private investment and approximately $382,000 in public funding. The trails at River Mountain Park and Two Rivers Park received $600,000 in private investment and $400,000 in public funding.
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