RECREATIONAL & BIKE TRAILS

In collaboration with the members of the Planning Commission, the Mayor’s Committee on Trails, and Public Works Staff, the City of Harrison has drafted a Recreational & Bike Trail Master Plan map.  A public hearing was conducted at the October 27, 2022 City Council meeting.

A PDF of the draft Master Plan and ordinance can be viewed here.

A PDF of the draft Master Plan Map can be viewed here.

If you would like to submit written questions or comments prior to the Public Hearing, please contact Wade Phillips at wphillips@harrisonar.gov.

The City Council is schedule to adopt the Recreational & Bike Trail Master Plan in January, 2023.

BACKGROUND AND BENEFITS OF TRAILS

While Harrison has many opportunities for outdoor activities inside the limits and surrounding areas, the City has not invested significantly in expanding existing or establishing new trails and greenways.  While support for more trails in the City has grown over the last few years, significant momentum has built for recreational trails and bike trails over the last year or two.  The public approved a bond issue that includes funding to building a new 10-ft. greenway from Lake Harrison Park to Goblin Drive.  The Mayor’s committee on trails successfully worked with several partners to initiate construction of a new NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) bike trail at NorthArk College.  The City Council has authorized the purchase of approximately 16 acres adjacent to Crooked Creek for the development of a future mountain bike trail.  

According to the National Association of Homebuilders, trails consistently remain the number one community amenity sought by prospective homeowners.  The development of trails in a community improves life in multiple ways:

• Improve Health
• Increase Tourism
• Improve Safety
• Enjoy the Environment
• Preserve Open and Natural Spaces

Trails benefit a community’s health, economy, safety and the environment.  

Given the importance of trails to a community and our recent successes to provide more options to our community, long term planning for an expanded trail system is imperative.  The purpose of a trails master plan is to provide clear direction to the community and its elected officials to invest in future trail connections while fostering additional opportunities to extend and expand the trail network.