National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Hot Springs National Park
101 Reserve Street
Hot Springs, AR 71901
Ph: 501-623-2824
www.nps.gov/hosp
Contact: Superintendent, 501-623-2824
Final Rulemaking Will Provide New Access to National Park
National Park Service to allow bicycles on new trail at Hot Springs National Park
The National Park Service has published a regulation allowing the park superintendent to permit bicycles on a 0.65-mile trail connection within the park. This new trail will connect hikers and bicyclists with an extensive network of recreational trails in the City of Hot Springs’ neighboring park. The park service, in partnership with the city and Visit Hot Springs, and with technical assistance from the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), will construct the trail extending north from a trailhead at Pullman Avenue and connecting to ongoing trail development at the city’s Northwoods Urban Forest Park.
“Working together with our partners, the park looks forward to providing new and better access to the national park and neighboring natural recreation areas,” said Superintendent Laura Miller. The new trail will be a multi-use, natural soil trail following the natural contours of the site with a gentle grade to accommodate recreational uses such as hiking and biking. The planned route will be maintained through partnerships for the benefit of the community and visitors.
The park service will implement measures to promote safe use of the trail, such as providing informational and directional signs and trail maintenance. This trail will serve as a formalized entry point into the park for hikers and bicyclists where currently there is none. This will increase access to the park, which helps the park service meet its mandate to manage the hot springs for public health, wellness, and enjoyment. Information about the proposal and the associated Environmental Assessment prepared by the National Park Service can be found at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/PullmanConnection . The final rule is expected to publish on Friday, November 22 and will be available at www.federalregister.gov by searching for “1024-AE50.”
About Hot Springs National Park: Established as a federal reservation in 1832 to protect the unique geothermal spring water and associated lands for public health, wellness, and enjoyment. In 1921, the area became a national park with the same mission; preservation of the 47 hot springs that come out of the Hot Springs Mountain and the historic resources built for visitor enjoyment of the hot springs. Visit us at www.nps.gov/HotSprings, on Facebook
www.Facebook.com/HotSpringsNPS, and Instagram www.Instagram.com/HotSpringsNPS.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for
America’s 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice and Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice.