Fort Smith residents are familiar with the controversial vote last spring on the expansion of the city’s system of trails and greenways.  Residents went head to head over the proposed allocation of 5% of the city’s existing 1% street tax program towards funding the expansion.  The public discourse was encouraging.  Even those with differing views could agree that it was good to see Fort Smith citizens getting involved in community issues.  In the end, residents voted against the tax renewal for the expansion.  So where does that leave the trails and greenways project?

Friends of Recreational Trails (FORT) is focused on making recreational trails in Fort Smith a reality.  According to their mission statement, FORT is a “community coalition to promote, fund, and build recreational trails in the Fort Smith area.”  FORT has turned to the private sector for financial support.  And they’ve been successful. So far, they’ve raised over $1.1 million for the project.

The Rice Cardin trail, an extension of the Greg Smith Riverfront Trail to Fort Smith Park, is on schedule to be paved soon. The Blue Lion Bikeway is scheduled to begin construction on July 9.  In addition, Chaffee Crossing  is working with the Park’s Department and engineers to finalize the exact trail paths while the trails and greenways committee hashes out the sharrow’s plan.  An exact construction date on this plan has yet to be announced, but is tentatively scheduled for some time this year.

It is encouraging to see Fort Smith citizens, like the members of FORT, continue their efforts to improve our city.  Though initial trail efforts didn’t succeed, FORT has used this as motivation to continue moving forward.  For more information on trail progress and a comprehensive list of current trails, visit http://www.fortsmithtrails.com/.