Shewmaker family donates 10 acres to city trail system
Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008
BENTONVILLE - Soon, the path will be made for five new miles of trail near Slaughter Pen Hollow.
The city of Bentonville on Wednesday accepted a donation of 10 acres off Slaughter Pen Road from the Jack Shewmaker family to be used for five new miles of bike trail near the Slaughter Pen Mountain Bike Trail.
"This is a great asset to the community," Northwest Arkansas Trailblazers Board member Bob Norwood said. "We want to particularly thank the Shewmaker family for … this donation of 10 acres. This is a gift that's going to keep giving and giving and giving and giving," he said.
The parcel of land is east of Tiger Boulevard, just off Slaughter Pen Road in northeast Bentonville. Shewmaker's son, Daniel Shewmaker, said the parcel cannot be developed and is a prime spot for an extension of the trail.
"We appreciate the people of northwest Arkansas so much and are proud to be a part of the community," Jack Shewmaker said.
The trail will be designed by Progressive Trail Designs.
The land has been appraised at $ 160, 000, Jack Shewmaker said.
The construction of the Slaughter Pen Bike Trail is just one example of how the city is progressing toward accommodating cyclists.
Tim Robinson, co-owner of Phat Tire Bike Shop in Bentonville, has been meeting with a representative from the League of American Cyclists in an effort to make Bentonville a Bicycle Friendly Community.
The Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign is an awards program that recognizes municipalities that actively support bicycling. A Bicycle Friendly Community provides safe accommodation for cycling and encourages its residents to bike for transportation and recreation. The League of American Bicyclists administers the Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign.
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