Trees of the Forest Trail to Receive Upgrades

Trees of the Forest Trail to Receive Upgrades

Bike Bentonville

The “Trees of the Forest” trail is a walking trail located at the south end of Lake Sylvia Recreation Area, which is a part of Pinnacle Mountain State Park. The trail is approximately 1/3 mile long and can be accessed from the main park entrance road. It also serves as a trailhead for the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. In 2020, after the execution of a Historic Property Lease with the USFS, the trail was identified as a priority project by State Park’s planning and development staff, and local stakeholders, due to its unique setting and intended user group. The trail comprises approximately 850 feet of asphalt paved trail and transitions into an unpaved hiking trail loop measuring approximately 1000 feet after crossing a creek.

The Trees of the Forest trail is circled. Parking is about 100 feet east of the campground entrance.
The Trees of the Forest trail is circled. Parking is about 100 feet east of the campground entrance.

The current 850-foot-long section of the paved trail includes six exhibit stations that cater to individuals with visual impairments. The stations feature braille text on an accessible interpretive panel showcasing the local flora and fauna. However, the passage of time has taken its toll on the paving and exhibits, with many having been removed and the asphalt in poor condition. The original design of the trail included timber tread cross-ties within the asphalt as a textural cue for individuals with mobility aides (canes) to let them know they have reached an exhibit station. Unfortunately, these “cue” timbers have deteriorated over time. Currently, much of the paved trail does not meet the accessibility guidelines outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), nor does it provide a safe route for individuals with visual or physical disabilities. Additionally, field assessments have identified issues with drainage and flooding.

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The last 1100 feet of the hiking trail is unpaved and it runs through steep terrain on the hillside. Along this section, there are tree markers that identify the different native species. However, it should be noted that this part of the trail can be quite challenging for those with visual impairments. The park staff believes that it was designed for advanced explorers who are capable of handling the difficulty level.

An older trail sign from the area.
An older trail sign from the area.

Arkansas State Parks applied for, and was awarded, a $225,000 FY23 RTP grant from the Recreational Trails Program administered by ARDOT to aid in funding improvements.  

“We intend to rehabilitate the paved section of the trail to accessible standards with input from local resources including the ASBVI (Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired) and current users to ensure a rich experience for all visitors,” said Shea Lewis, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. “Initial considerations for the trail’s features include updated braille signage and beyond that, the addition of multi-sensory interventions such as tactile and assistive listening exhibits to facilitate a more robust outdoor recreation experience. The unpaved section will remain and include some updated exhibits for those who have the ability to safely traverse the hiking portion of the trail.” 

Arkansas State Parks has completed a survey of the trail and expects an initial schematic design set for stakeholder review in April. They do not currently have a cost estimate for the improvements. 

Franks Dermatology

More information on the Lake Sylvia Recreation Area can be found in this article.

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(Photos courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, Map courtesy of US Forest Service)

The Community Bicyclist

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