Opening set for Gravette wildlife trail

Trail improvements were made possible through grant from Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

— A grand opening ceremony is planned this Saturday to inaugurate Gravette’s Wildlife Observation/Walking Trail, located just south of the ball fields in Pop Allum Park.

Activities will begin at 10 a.m. with a brief ceremony, including words of welcome and information by Gravette Mayor Byron Warren, followed by activities for kids, fun events and also food. The activities will continue until 2 p.m., said Allyson Ransom, Gravette director of communications and resource efficiency.

Entrance to the trailhead is off Eighth Avenue S.W., where ample parking is available. A handicap ramp has been added for easy access to the trail.

The original unpaved 739-foot trail, constructed several years ago, has also been paved and connects to the new 940-foot addition, giving walkers more than a quarter mile to enjoy the wooded area and open fields where they may observe birds, small animals and wildflowers.

Song-bird houses, built by Gravette High School shop students, have been added to encourage nesting. Other information signage has also been added, Ransom said. She wrote the grant application which provided funds for the expansion and improvements.

Large boulders have been placed in the landscape, and additional benches provide resting stops along the route.

The improvements have been made possible by the $72,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

The loop-type trail is designed to be extended when additional funds are available - either through grants which might be sought or by donations from individuals or businesses who wish to become supporters of the project.

News, Pages 1 on 04/25/2012