Arkansas River Trail
| Arkansas River Trail | |
|---|---|
 Location of the Arkansas River Trail | |
| Length | 14 mi (23 km) |
| Location | Pulaski County, Arkansas, USA |
| Trailheads | Little Rock, Arkansas North Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Use | Hiking, Cycling, Jogging |
| Elevation change | negligible |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Season | All |
| Sights | Arkansas River, Pinnacle Mountain, Big Rock, the Little Rock, William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park, The Medical Mile, the Big Dam Bridge, North Little Rock's Burns Park |
The Arkansas River Trail is a rail trail that runs 17 miles (27 km) in along both sides of the Arkansas River in Central Arkansas.
History
The Arkansas River Trail began with funding from a $1.9 million bond issue from the city of Little Rock in 2003. The trail includes a portion of the Little Rock & Western Railway. The former railbed is still in use by the railroad and operates adjacent to the trail.[1]
Bridges
Junction and Clinton Presidential Park Bridges
Both former railroad bridges have been converted into pedestrian and bicycling bridges. The Junction Bridge opened in May 2008; the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge, named after former U.S. president Bill Clinton, opened in October 2011.[2] Both connect the two cities' riverfront parks. The Junction Bridge is accessed via stairs and elevators.
Renovation work on the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge began in May 2010.[3] The railroad bridge, originally constructed in 1899 as the Rock Island Bridge,[4] is the eastern pedestrian and bicycle connection for the River Trail.
Renovation work on the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge cost $10.5 million and was funded by a mix of funds including $4 million from the Clinton Foundation, $2.5 million of federal stimulus money, $2 million from the Commerce Department, $1 million from the city of Little Rock, and $750,000 from the city of North Little Rock.[5]
Baring Cross
Of the three railroad spans in the downtown area one is still in use by the Union Pacific Railroad (UP). UP gave tentative approval to build a small bridge near the Little Rock Amtrak station.
References
- ^ "Arkansas River Trail - Arkansas River Trail".
- ^ http://www.kuar.org/kuarnews/36252-dedication-for-clinton-presidential-park-bridge.html
- ^ http://www.inarkansas.com/26995/bill-clinton-hillary-clinton-mike-beebe-more-at-clinton-presidential-park-dedication
- ^ Tugman, Lindsey (September 30, 2011). "Clinton dedicates pedestrian bridge at library". KTHV-TV. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-11-01. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
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External links
- Arkansas River Trail maps, events, businesses, services, and more
- The Arkansas River Trail Page on Traillink.com
- American Trails web page on the Arkansas River Trail