New Delta Heritage Trail Terminus Trailhead Dedication
When: October 18, 2018 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Arkansas City Trailhead at the Delta Heritage Trail State Park at 910 DeSoto Ave., Arkansas City, Ark.
An important development in a long range plan to create the Delta Heritage Trail (DHT) will take place this Thursday, October 18th in Arkansas City. The State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission will hold a dedication for the new southern terminus at 11:30 a.m. at the Delta Heritage State Park located at 910 DeSoto Ave. in Arkansas City. This trailhead will now serve as the primary point-of-beginning for the southern reach of the DHT.
It includes a multi-use building designed in the style of historic rail depots that houses administrative functions, bathhouse facilities, and an open pavilion. Visitors can now also enjoy parking improvements, picnic areas, a water fountain, a bicycle repair station, two oversized tent pads for camping visitors, and a large group charcoal grill. Interpretative elements will provide information on the DHT, background on the history surrounding the new building, interpretative wayside panels, and local recreational offerings.
Design for the project was completed by ETI, Corp. of Memphis, TN and construction was performed by Davis Development LLC of Monticello, AR. Delta Heritage Trail State Park started as part of the national “rails to trails” initiative, whereby former railroad lines are converted to pedestrian and bicycle routes.
The trail is being built in phases by Arkansas State Parks. When completed, the rails to trails portion will stretch from six miles west of Helena to Rohwer. From there, the trail will extend via the Mississippi River levee to Arkansas City. To date, 35 miles of the DHT corridor have been developed, including 20.6 miles of trail to trail in the northern reach (Helena Junction to Elaine) and a 14.4 mile shared-use roadway in the southern reach (Arkansas City to Rohwer).
About Arkansas State Parks
Arkansas state parks and museums cover 54,400 acres of forest, wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation facilities and unique historic and cultural resources. The system includes 1,100 buildings (including 183 historic structures), six National Historic Landmarks, a National Natural Landmark and 16 sites on the National Register of Historic Places.
The state parks have 1,800 camp sites, 1,050 picnic sites, 208 cabins, five lodges, and 415 miles of trails. Eight million visitors annually come from all regions of the country. Park staffs provide over 42,000 education programs, activities and special events to more than 700,000 participants each year.
Established in 1923, Arkansas State Parks preserve special places for future generations, provide quality recreation and education opportunities, enhance the state’s economy through tourism, and provide leadership in resource conservation.