GRAVETTE — The weather cooperated and a good crowd attended the official opening of Gravette’s newly completed Nature Walking Trail Saturday. The quarter-mile-plus paved trail is located just south of the ballfields in Pop Allum Park.

Activities began with the ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. and various activites were held during the morning and early afternoon.

Pictures show some of the highlights. Other activities enjoyed were a talk by Joe Neal, representing the N.W. Arkansas Audubon Society, who also handed out information about birds.

Also appearing was James Jannsen, from the Bella Vista Blue Bird Society, which has placed more than 450 bluebird boxes in the Village area.

The walking trail was more than doubled in length from the original trail and both have been paved, are handicap accessible and feature landscaping and informational features, all made possible through a grant from the Arkansas Dept. of Parks and Tourism and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

More than 150 persons came and went as activities continued until 2 p.m.

Mayor Byron Warren, during his brief remarks at the ribbon cutting, expressed thanks to all who helped make the project successful, including businesses, individuals as well as city employees.

Allyson Ransom, who has spearheaded the project, said an unpaved trail through a wooded area which joins the paved trail was added just a few days earlier.

News, Pages 16 on 05/02/2012