Razorback Regional Greenway: More Than a Trail (OPINION)

When hundreds gathered earlier this spring for the opening of the Razorback Regional Greenway trail system, they were not just participating in a single event at a single point in time. They were commemorating the fulfillment of another vision among many that make Northwest Arkansas remarkable.

That the trail runs through our entire region is fitting. It is yet another tangible representation of how Northwest Arkansas is thinking, planning, living and working together as a region.

Basics about the Greenway are notable.

It is a 36-mile, hard-surface path connecting six distinct communities.

It forms the spine of a network of more than 60 miles of trails, stretching from Fayetteville to Bella Vista.

Some sections of the trail have up to 1,000 users per day. 

While the numbers are surely impressive, even more so are the benefits the Razorback Regional Greenway delivers economically, environmentally, aesthetically and recreationally.

The Greenway is becoming a catalyst for downtown revitalization projects throughout the region by attracting people to the centers of our communities and driving economic development by creating expanded opportunities for small businesses. Our downtowns are retaining their individual sense of place while capitalizing on the opportunity the increased foot traffic is providing to the area. 

The trail serves as a main artery that transforms it from a mere recreational venue to a fundamental piece of our regional transportation infrastructure. The Razorback Regional Greenway has become an alternative transportation route for hundreds of daily commuters providing access to major employers, the University of Arkansas, public schools, shopping centers, hospitals and others.

Walkers, bikers and runners are ubiquitous on the trail. Whether participating in a 5K or enjoying an early-morning stroll, those wanting to achieve a healthier lifestyle have discovered a new recreational amenity.

Beyond tying our region together in a literal sense, the Greenway also binds us together figuratively. As mentioned, the communities in our region each have their own distinctive qualities. We have both rural and urban areas. We have a robust culture with diversity of thought, experiences and lifestyles. Yet all share an appreciation for amenities like Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the breathtaking beauty of the Ozarks. All of which can be found along the Razorback Regional Greenway, and all of which help make this place special.

For more than a generation, Northwest Arkansas has attracted people looking for greater opportunity. Without question, they have found it here. But attracting people and retaining people are two different things. Opportunity attracts people. Quality of life keeps them here.

To continue to be a magnet for those seeking opportunity, we need to constantly look for and offer incentives to encourage the world’s most talented people to build their lives here. The Greenway is another such incentive.

The very existence of a trail project of this scope fundamentally shapes an outsider’s perception of Northwest Arkansas. It shows vision, commitment and a willingness to invest in our region. It is what makes this a strong and vibrant place in which to live, work and play. And it positions us for even more positive development and growth.

The Greenway is more than just 36 miles of concrete. It is a shining example of what our communities can accomplish when working together for the common good. The Walton Family Foundation is pleased to have been a partner in this quality of life project, with an initial investment of $15 million.

We should be proud to have such a tangible representation of everything that makes our region strong, and it should make us feel hopeful about our accomplishments yet to come. 

Karen Minkel is the director of the Home Region program for the Walton Family Foundation, established by the late Wal-Mart Stores Inc. founder Sam Walton and his wife, Helen. Minkel joined the foundation in 2012 and helped plan the foundation’s 2020 strategic plan to invest $302 million in Northwest Arkansas and the Delta region.