Noel Trail System Could Improve Safety For Residents

Sally Carroll/McDonald County Press Chris Arnold and his wife, Christian, look at a large map of Noel and discuss options for a trail through the small town. Dinner and discussion on Monday night centered around gaining public input for a trail and its connecting point to a long-range projected trail system in McDonald County.
Sally Carroll/McDonald County Press Chris Arnold and his wife, Christian, look at a large map of Noel and discuss options for a trail through the small town. Dinner and discussion on Monday night centered around gaining public input for a trail and its connecting point to a long-range projected trail system in McDonald County.

Mary Bourn is worried about the safety of children in Noel. Every morning, on their way to school, children from rental houses along the bluff wade across the creek, then cross the railroad tracks to get to school.

Bourn came to a community bike-trail meeting on Monday night at the Senior Community Center in Noel. She hoped to gain insight on trails and improvements that could make Noel safer.

"There's no place that it's safe," Bourn said. "I like to walk and bike. I used to run, but it's too dangerous," she said. "It's incredibly risky."

Bourn has driven a school bus for 22 years and ridden motorcycles for 50 years, so keen observation skills are her strong suit.

"I'm a safety nut," she said.

The substitute teacher seeks safe methods of travel for children, families -- and herself -- who want to safely navigate through Noel.

"It's really confusing, but I'm willing to wade through it," Bourn said, looking at the large map of Noel. "From Main Street to Harps, there's no safe place to get there now."

Monday night, Bourn and others who gathered for a dinner and discussion were asked to look at maps and consider giving input on where a potential bike-walk trail could connect into Noel.

Organizers of the open meeting want to gather input from the community about a possible trail system.

Harry S. Truman Coordinating Council transportation planner and GIS technician Nikki Hill led the meeting, asking those present to figure out how a long-range community trail plan could fit into Noel.

The long-range planning process involves developing trails in the McDonald County area that may one day connect to the Razorback Regional Greenway in Bella Vista, Ark.

For Chris Arnold and his wife, Christian, a trail makes sense for Noel. "It's exciting," Christian said. "I believe they'll take everyone's input (into consideration)," she said.

Andrea Johnson, who walks daily, believes a trail will benefit Noel residents. Johnson used to live in Fayetteville, Ark., and saw the benefits when the Greenway connected from Bella Vista to Fayetteville.

She believes building a trail system in McDonald County is realistic and is pleased that officials are considering input from the community.

If the trails in McDonald County could connect with Bella Vista, "why not?" Johnson commented.

Hill said the Harry S. Truman Coordinating Council works with counties throughout the state regarding various projects. Residents in McDonald County prove to be very involved.

"McDonald County is the most interactive county we work with," Hill said.

Hill told the group of 30 people gathered that a trail through Southwest City could prove to be a gateway to Oklahoma. Pineville's trail can bridge the gap to Northwest Arkansas.

All the trails can be designed to connect and provide an additional transportation method through McDonald County.

"We do the same trail planning that the Northwest Arkansas trail planning organization does," Hill said.

A trail system can connect communities, schools, parks, points of interest and provide a safe mode of transportation, she added.

The input gathered on Monday night will be consolidated for officials to review, Hill said.

For more information, contact Hill at 417-649-6400 or email her at [email protected].

General News on 08/16/2018