THE POLK COUNTY
Pulse
2020 29
December 30, 2020
UA Rich Mountain Names Softball Field Bike trails sought as tourist attraction in Honor of Cummings-Cecil Family A proposal to bring tourists to Mena through the creation of bike trails has resulted in a project by the Mena Advertising and Promotion Commission to develop a plan to design a trail system with Progressive Bike Trails. Progressive is a design and construction company that specializes in sustainable bike park and trail development. Rick Chrisman, AP Bike Trail Committee chair, said that by adding a bike trail system at Ward Lake, the previous municipal water source which is now dry, is a good use of city property while also creating a tourist attraction. Jason Stouder, Planning and Design Director for Progressive, said the trails will bring a positive impact to the community both economically and physically. One study showed bike tourism is a significant economic driver for the region, with visitors spending $27 million at local businesses last year. In the last 12 months alone, more than 90,000 mountain bike tourists visited Northwest Arkansas at a rate comparable to notable destinations like Oregon and British Columbia. “Trail destinations around the state are the exact reason why Mena should capitalize on investing in trails,” Stouder said. “Mena’s topography translates to a diverse array of potential trails which is a good formula for destination status. The idea is to create a destination that brings riders from TX, OK, LA and southern AR to Mena on their way to NWA or Central AR. The goal is to create an experience that puts mountain bikers’ heads in beds, be it local hotels, Air BNB locations, campgrounds etc. The more nights they spend in Mena the better.” The goal is for the trails in Mena to appeal to riders of all levels and age groups. “The broader range of trails is key for tourist and residents alike. Tourism is a huge draw and reason for the trails.” Chrisman informed the AP commission at the December meeting that preliminary impressions are that three perimeter trails at different elevations and skill levels is a feasible solution to providing a variety of riding experiences and connections to the Earthquake Ridge Trail. A final report will be provided to the AP Trails Advisory Committee no later than April.
UARM Chancellor Dr. Phillip Wilson has announced that the new collegiate softball field being constructed at McMillan Park will be named the Cecil-Cummings Field in honor of the family’s donation made by Rhonda Weatherford and her three sons, Aaron, Brandon and Calvin Cummings to support Bucks Athletics and the Nursing Program, of which Rhonda is an alumnus. Rhonda was the only child of Don Cecil, founder of the Don’s E-Z Pay stores, which now boasts 7 locations across southwest Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. Rhonda Weatherford knows first-hand how instrumental UA Rich Mountain can be in transforming lives with purpose. She earned her GED at the age of 21 from Rich Mountain when classes met at City Hall under the instruction of Pat Phillips. She then returned to Rich Mountain Vo-Tech to become an LPN. “ She is incredibly complimentary of the transformation that Rich Mountain has undergone since she first came to earn her GED, “It’s just unbelievable… its leaders, past and present, who all truly care about education and providing opportunities to the people of this area… without Rich Mountain, this community wouldn’t be what it is.”
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