ROGERS - A plan for a 50-mile trail and greenway system
was not only approved by the Rogers City Council on Tuesday,
but the project got a $1 million boost in the form of a
challenge grant from the Walton Family Foundation.

Rob Brothers, president and CEO of Arvest Bank Rogers, announced the grant at the council meeting.  He called it a "one for two" challenge grant requiring the city to raise $2 for every $1 in grant money. In the "foreseeable future" residents of Rogers may be able to walk or ride a bike to West Fork.

"It takes some dollars to make things work," he added.

Buddy D. Philpot, executive director of the Walton Family Foundation, wrote in a June 1 letter to Mayor Steve Womack the foundation is excited about the possibility of  an integrated trail system in Northwest Arkansas.

"The trail system in Northwest Arkansas is an important amenity to all segments of our population, and I appreciate your proactive attitude in expanding the availability of trails to the citizens of your community," Philpot wrote.

Womack said on Tuesday grants have been applied for that can help the city build its trail system in areas already developed. Parts of  the trail system in parts of the city slated for future development will be constructed by the property developers.

The city will have to raise $500,000 for the first $250,000 increment to come from the grant and will have to repeat that three more times to get the full $1 million grant, he added, thanking Brothers and the Walton Foundation for the contribution. 

Jo Carole Haxel, a landscape architect from Siloam Springs, gave a detailed presentation about the trail system. She explained how the city trails could eventually link with other cities and the planned regional trails system.  She said about 11 percent of the 50-mile system of trails is already developed or under development.

The council unanimously approved the trails and greenway master plan.