News Release

Hot Springs National Park Releases Pullman Avenue Trail Connection Plan

Date: February 6, 2019

Hot Springs National Park has released a plan for potential changes to the trail system in the park. In partnership with the City of Hot Springs and Visit Hot Springs, the park proposes to create a short connector trail from Pullman Avenue to the new Northwoods Urban Forest Trail, to allow more and different types of use. The purpose of this new trail segment is to enhance trail sustainability; expand recreational opportunities for visitors in the park, as well as residents in the local community; increase visitor use of the trail system and trail systems outside the national park boundary; and to promote the health and well-being of visitors to Hot Springs National Park. The proposal is to allow mountain biking on this trail segment; the first time mountain biking would be allowed on a park trail.

While there is a strong history of hiking and equestrian use of the trails at Hot Springs National Park, the park has received requests to allow construction of a connecting trail across a section of Hot Springs National Park to allow users of the new recreational mountain biking and hiking trails at Northwoods the opportunity to access them via a trailhead at Pullman Avenue. The park believes mountain biking can be managed well at this location and will respond to a community need, in addition to providing new recreational opportunities for park visitors.

The plan and environmental assessment are now available for public review and comment. After review, the park will finalize the plan and determine if a special regulation is necessary. (Allowing bikes on park trails requires a special regulation, which would also require a review and comment period.)

“We are excited about this potential addition to the trail system in the park and are very interested to hear what visitors and neighbors think about the proposal,” said Superintendent Laura A. Miller. “The addition of this trail segment will provide trailhead parking at Pullman Avenue and a connection to the new Northwoods trails, increasing recreational opportunities for our visitors and neighbors, alike. We would need support from volunteers to make these improvements and maintain the trails in the future.”

Hot Springs National Park is a strong economic engine for the surrounding area. In 2017, more than 1.5 million visitors contributed $127 million to the local economy, and supported 1,494 jobs related to tourism.

There are multiple ways for you to comment on the plan and environmental assessment for the proposed trail improvements. The park is taking comments at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/PullmanConnection or by mail at 101 Reserve Street, Hot Springs, AR 71901. In partnership with the City of Hot Springs and Visit Hot Springs, park staff will host a public open house to provide the opportunity for members of the public to learn more about the proposal and provide feedback. The open house will be held Wednesday, February 13, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Transportation Depot located at 100 Broadway Terrace in Hot Springs. The National Park Service will accept comments at this event. Following the public review period, which lasts until February 15, 2019, the park will review all feedback, finalize the proposal, and determine how to implement any proposed changes.