The proposed Mena Trails Project promises to be a boon for outdoor enthusiasts and the Mena community alike. Imagine traversing a network of up to 100 miles of pristine trails, winding through the heart of the Ouachita National Forest. Hikers, bikers, and nature lovers of all stripes will have a diverse playground to explore, fostering a deeper connection with Arkansas’ natural beauty.
Beyond recreational opportunities, the project holds the potential to revitalize the Mena area. Improved access with new parking areas and potentially even additional routes will make the area more attractive to visitors. This influx of outdoor enthusiasts can translate to economic growth for local businesses, from restaurants and outfitters to lodging and transportation services. The Mena Trails Project has the potential to become a major draw, positioning Mena as a premier destination for outdoor adventure in Arkansas.
The Mena Trail Project has moved into the next phase toward approval by the US Forest Service, public comments.
Project Vision:
This ambitious project, submitted by Arkansas State Parks, envisions a network of up to 100 miles of natural surface trails for hiking, biking, and other outdoor adventures. Spanning across 8,832 acres of National Forest land, the project would also include:
- A central “base portal” for visitors to access amenities and services.
- Improved access to the area, with new parking areas and potentially even new access routes.
- Uplift infrastructure, like chairlifts or gondolas, to transport users throughout the expansive trail system.
- Additional support facilities and amenities are scattered along the trails for added convenience.
Your Voice Matters:
The Forest Service is eager to hear from the public before finalizing plans. A draft environmental assessment (EA) is now available for review, outlining the potential impacts of the project and considering alternative options.
How to Get Involved:
- Review the Draft EA and Project Details: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63649
- Submit Electronic Comments: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?project=NP-3239 (be sure to use project number NP-3239)
- Submit Written Comments (by mail or hand-delivery):
Mena/Oden District Ranger, Attention: Mena Trails, 1603 Hwy 71 North, Mena, AR 71953
Don’t Miss Out!
The public comment period closes 30 days following the official publication date in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (on or about June 30, 2024). The Mena/Oden Ranger District encourages everyone with an interest in the outdoors to participate in shaping the future of this exciting project.
Next Steps:
The comment period will begin on July 1, 2024. After that, the objection period will start around September 1, 2024. A final decision will be made around December 1, 2024, and the approved plan will be implemented as early as January 1, 2025. This timeline is approximate.
More Information:
The 162-page Environmental Assessment is available to read online or download at, https://usfs-public.app.box.com/v/PinyonPublic/file/1573639240492
Our past articles on the project:
- Proposed Mena Trail Project – April 2022
- New Trails in Mena Move Forward – May 2022
- Mena trail expansion to be explored through public, private agreement – December 2022
- Public, private partners sign agreement to explore trail expansion in Mena area – December 2022
- Update on Mena Trail Project – March 2023
- The City of Mena Moves Forward on New Trails – April 2024
26 Responses
I am very concerned about the bike trail proposal. We moved to Mena for the natural beauty of the mountains… the trees… the peace! I am not against progress and business ventures, but to devastate the national forests will be devastating to this town. There are so many objections that have been discussed…the lifts will bring in extra man-made materials to ruin the natural beauty. I have discussed other possible consequences with other community members. Good points are accidents with the lifts. Concerns in crime rate exploding like in Broken Bow. There was also concern about impact on habitat destruction for Rich Mountain salamanders, snails and glow worms. So much will be destroyed, and no amount of money is worth that!
Excited about the proposed bike trails and lifts coming to Mena! I travel to other parts of Arkansas to ride and to have a place to ride where I live is exciting! It will also bring tourists revenue to the Mena area which helps our community!
I am troubled about the impact of a new biking trail, infrastructure, and additional amenities to the Ouachita National Forest. I am personally concerned about the farms, old growth timber, natural beauty, and peace in that area. Such developments will indeed alter the landscape and affect local ecosystems and tranquility. Please reconsider this project and relocate. The environmental integrity should outweigh the recreational opportunities. The revitalization will negatively impact the way of life for residents that choose to live outside of town in the heart of the Ouachitas.
Sounds like it’s all built around Greed. Mena will not be Mena, ever again, after this is put in. The Visitors will have all the rights and the home folks will not have any say about anything , because the Visitors will be bringing he money in. Wait and See.
The trails project would negatively affect the water quality of Mill Creek. Mill Creek is a pristine water source on the South Side of Rich Mountain in the Upper Mountain Fork Watershed that empties into the Upper Mountain Fork River. The trails and associated wheeled bike traffic would tear the surface of the shallow mountain soil and due to the steep terrain of Rich Mountain the rain fall runoff would significantly increase erosion in the Mill Creek watershed. This increased erosion would result in a dramatically increased turbidity in the Mill Creek water at directly impact a fragile species that inhabits the upper portion of Mill Creek known as palamonetes paludousu, or commonly known as ghost shrimp.
I’d rather have mountain bikers than all the motorized side by side atvs.
I just moved to Mena last year and have noticed a constant complaint regarding the lack of anything in this town. No infrastructure, one business after another closing due to lack of consumer patronage, cost of living, mostly groceries, (locals constantly complain about Walmart who by the way pushed this project to help the city). There are no restaurants to speak of, only three are worth of mentioning. I mean when McDonald’s closed for remodeling, you would have thought the world ended. As much as the city tries to push festivals, there is always a low turnout and vendors who put out good money to sell their products leave disappointed with no intent of coming back, I actually take time to talk to them. The city might want to talk to them for once to get their opinion, they might be unpleasantly surprised at how difficult it is for them to justify the cost of setting up. When something good has finally come along that would financially benefit the town, it gets a negative response. Mena is a good town and can stay a good place to live, but it will not survive unless there is revenue coming in. No project this big can be built or supported unless an environmental impact study is done. Seeing the other major parks that were expanded and have prospered due to state interest in these type of projects, have helped the surrounding towns prosper. Something that Mena needs desperately. Not being from Mena allows me to see how stifled this town is and I am not the only person who feels this way (these are people from other states that have moved here and are trying against all odds to make a living). Mena needs help, this is the shot in the arm it has been waiting for. Believe me, there are more people who want this desperately and they out number the ones that don’t.
100% positive move for Mena Arkansas. If your not growing and moving forward your dieing! This is the best thing that could ever happen for this town! Improved infrastructure, new restaurants, hotels, jobs, etc! Let’s do this!!!!
Im all for progress as long as the majority of the people will benefut from it.
The city council has turned down several business that have tried to come to Mena. Why? These businesses would have provided jobs year round for those that live here. How many jobs will the bike trail provide? The bike trails may entice people to come here from spring through fall but not all will stay in motels or BnBs, & not all will eat here in the restaurants.
Who is actually benefiting from these bike trails other than those few that actually ride? There’s a lot of us that will be paying for these trails & the upkeep that won’t ever be able to use them.
Then there’s the environmental impact. We have a lot of wildlife on the mountain not to mention the watershed impact. I’d like to see an environmental impact study.
This is an amazing opportunity for our town and this area. This will bring so much positive growth. Bike trails are meant to allow more people to enjoy the out doors and the beautiful mountain not destroy it! I can’t wait!!
We fully support this development for the Mena area. It would be genius if there were a loop that includes beautiful Lake Wilhelmina to the south.
We are DEFINITELY in favor of this! Mena needs the growth — and this is the perfect type of growth for us. Couldn’t be more excited!
This is such a great opportunity for positive growth for our small businesses and town in general. Like mentioned in another comment, many people come here and are unsatisfied with the amenities or excursions we offer. This is a step in the right direction toward both appealing to visitors and improving the quality of life for locals.
I am coming from the perspective of a mother with young children who is planning to raise my boys here in my hometown. Although I understand that there will be ecological and other impacts on the area, without things for my kids to do in this town it is going to be very hard to stay here.
My family are outdoor enthusiasts and the idea of biking down Rich Mountain with my boys every weekend as they get older, sounds glorious! Not to mention all the bike lanes that will probably be built in Mena because of this innitiative, further allowing my family to feel safe doing active outdoor activities in Mena.
There is more to be said but this is my driving motivation for supporting the trail system and lifts up to the Lodge.
The bike trails will bring so many great benefits to the area that greatly outweigh any negative impacts. I know many in Mena are reluctant to any change, but as with other recent changes, this can be a very positive one! The bike trails and other possibilities that could come from it are exactly what we need.
I am 100% in favor of this amazing trail system to come to Mena. It will bring tourism money to our area which will result in many new businesses & jobs. I have a home located directly on the Talimena Scenic Drive and the trail path would be very close as our property butts up to National forest-I am not concerned that these trails will do anything except help this town thrive. We also own a home in Rogers, Ar and we have seen first hand how these bike trails are built! No expense is spared. The trails are such a great addition to the community! Mena needs these trails
The trails being purposed will be extremely beneficial for Mena and its residents. Other areas in Arkansas with developed trails have not been detrimentally affected by those trails. The objections I am reading here I believe are unfounded. I grew up in Mena in the 1970s, and it has not changed much since then. I think these trails will bring in much needed growth and vitality to the area. Many people have a hard time with change, but change is often needed and necessary. There is an opportunity here for positive changes that will make Mena a much better place!
I am FOR this project. As stated previously and I agree, “if you are not growing you are dying”. Stagnant growth does not pay the bills nor does it provide the services and opportunities that many here desire. I personally do not like a lot of change but I do think this trail system project can and will inject some desirable income and associated infrastructure to our area. I see the hiking/biking trail system as and wholesome and clean activity. I see a lot of start up opportunities for locals doing business to support this. Folks are always saying they wish the economy here would support their kids not having to leave just to survive but yet when staring an absolute economic boom in the face they reject it.? The wildlife and timber studies are drafted and being implemented along with input.
Folks, I say YES lets go.
Lets make Mena a better place to live and we can still keep our small town spirit alive while we do it.
I truly believe this project will have an overall positive impact for the area. Kids need things like this to get them off video games and discover the beauty of nature while at the same time getting much needed exercise. mountain bikers want Mena to remain the nice, quaint town it is as this is an attraction of itself. If you look at Northwoods in hot springs, this trail system has been a great addition to the community and has impacted the economy very positively.
We support any opportunities for this community to grow. This town has already lost too much.
I am FOR this project! As someone that works in the service industry, the number one complaint I hear about our sweet, little town is the lack of jobs/nothing to do. The growth that these trails could bring shows me nothing, but all positive things. Growth, more jobs, more tourism, MORE money not just for local businesses, but for our city! Which is something we need. It’s not about greed, it’s about creating LIFE back into this beautiful town.
The trail project will bring so many benefits to Mena and I am so excited to see it unfold!
I am 1000% in support of this project! I I recently moved back home after being gone for 20 years and this town has not improved at all during that time. Please developed as much of this plan as you can! Our community needs this!
This project is an excellent way to share the beauty of the area while providing additional economic opportunities for the residents. Win / Win.
Mountain biking is a fantastic activity that not only promotes health and adventure but also significantly boosts the local economy. The new mountain bike park in Mena, Arkansas, equipped with lifts to transport bikes to the top of the mountain, is a game-changer. It promises to attract tourists from all over, providing a steady influx of visitors who will support local businesses, from restaurants to hotels. This investment in outdoor recreation will help Mena thrive, creating jobs and fostering a vibrant community.
I believe that the new mountain biking trails will be a fantastic addition to the Mena area, providing a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to experience and appreciate the natural beauty of our town. Additionally, this development is expected to create much-needed jobs and attract new businesses, contributing positively to our local economy.