News Release

Amendment to Special Regulations for Hot Springs National Park bicycle use open for comment

Date: June 11, 2019

Hot Springs, Arkansas – The National Park Service is in the final stages of a planning process to allow bicycle use on a new trail connection between the park and property owned by the City of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The new .65-mile trail would provide access to an extensive network of recreational trails in the City’s Northwoods Urban Forest Park.

“This proposed trail connection would offer park visitors and neighbors better access to trails and recreational opportunities in and around the park,” said Superintendent Laura Miller. “The natural surface, multi-use trail would be designed to enhance safety as well as the visitor experience for both pedestrians and bicyclists while protecting natural and cultural resources.”

This proposal is part of the Pullman Avenue Trail Connection/Environmental Assessment (EA) published on February 1, 2019. The EA, which contains a full description of the purpose and need for taking action, the alternatives considered, maps, and the environmental impacts associated with the project, is available at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/hosp. Click on “Pullman Avenue Trail Connection Environmental Assessment” and then the link entitled “Document List.” National Park Service requires promulgation of a special regulation to designate new trails for bicycle use off park roads and outside developed areas.

Comments on the proposed rule must be received by 11:59 PM EST on July 15, 2019. Interested parties may submit comments, identified by Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1024-AE50, by either of the following methods:

(1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

(2) By hard copy: Mail or hand deliver to: Superintendent, Hot Springs National Park, 101 Reserve Street, Hot Springs, AR 71901.

Comments will not be accepted by fax, email, or in any way other than those specified above. All submissions received must include the words “National Park Service” or “NPS” and must include the docket number or RIN (1024-AE50) for this rulemaking. Comments may be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov.