The City of Goshen is expanding one of its most treasured outdoor spaces, adding 50 acres of permanently protected forestland to Mill Branch Park through a partnership involving a local land trust, a private donor, and city government.
The expansion, made possible through a collaboration with the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust (NWALT) and a land donation from Dick Bennett, increases the park’s size by approximately 50 percent. The city will celebrate the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 20, at 9 a.m. at Mill Branch Park, located at 409 E. Bowen Blvd. in Goshen.
The event will recognize several major developments, including the completion of Phase One of an ADA-compliant trail, the announcement of Phase Two, the land donation and acquisition, and the groundbreaking for a new pavilion on the park’s south side.
How the Partnership Came Together
Bennett donated the property to the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust, which placed a permanent conservation easement on the land before transferring ownership to the City of Goshen. The easement ensures the property will remain protected from future development.
“This project is a great example of multiple partners coming together to bring nature and outdoor recreation to the people of Goshen and the surrounding communities,” said Ben Speight, director of land protection at NWALT. “As a local land trust, we are thankful for the opportunity to work with landowners, like Mr. Bennett, to help them realize their conservation goals while bettering our environment and community.”
An example of the improvements.
A Larger Park for Recreation and Conservation
The newly acquired acreage is directly adjacent to the existing park, creating a larger and more connected natural area. The property is fully forested with mature oak-hickory habitat, includes a small pond, and features a stream that flows into Mill Branch, a tributary of Beaver Lake.
Visitors can view the protected land from Fire Tower Road and from several locations within the park.
The addition creates new opportunities for future trail development, outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat protection, and environmental education while preserving the natural character of the area.
Protecting the Beaver Lake Watershed
Beyond expanding recreational opportunities, the project carries significant environmental benefits for Northwest Arkansas. By protecting forestland and riparian habitat within the Beaver Lake watershed, the conservation effort helps safeguard water quality for thousands of residents who depend on Beaver Lake as a drinking water source.
The Bennett property also strengthens a growing network of protected lands in Northwest Arkansas. By connecting to existing parkland, it contributes to a larger green space corridor that supports wildlife movement and provides residents with greater access to nature close to home.
“What a pleasure it was to work with Ben, Evan and Grady at NWALT in accepting the land donation so graciously provided by Dick Bennett,” said Goshen Mayor Stroud. “We are so fortunate to receive such a meaningful contribution to Mill Branch Park and the conservation of this property for all to enjoy.”
A Growing Outdoor Destination
With the addition of 50 acres, Mill Branch Park becomes an even more valuable community asset for Goshen and the Northwest Arkansas region. The expanded park offers additional space for hiking, nature exploration, and future trail development while protecting the rural landscape that residents cherish. Read the Mill Branch Park Master Plan.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony is open to the public. Mill Branch Park is located at 409 E. Bowen Blvd. in Goshen.
This updated article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
