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Hot Springs to pursue FLAP funding for 3.6-mile Southwest Trail segment
Summary
City staff will request authorization to submit a Federal Lands Access Program application requesting $1.374 million to design and construct phase 1 of the Southwest Trail within Hot Springs, covering the trailhead at the National Park headquarters and about 3.6 miles of city trail, with a voluntary local match of roughly $314,418 (18.6%).
The City of Hot Springs plans to apply for Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) funds to design and construct the southernmost ready segment of the Southwest Trail, staff told the Board of Directors on July 8.
Planning staff said the Southwest Trail is a planned 60-mile multiuse bicycle and pedestrian corridor connecting Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site with Hot Springs National Park, crossing Pulaski, Saline and Garland counties. The Hot Springs portion under consideration would begin at the Hot Springs National Park headquarters trailhead and include roughly 3.6 miles of trail within city limits, linked to a Carlin County segment that has already received economic development funding.
Sarah Delozier and staff noted that Garver Engineers completed survey work, the environmental impact statement and 404 permits for the corridor; the Hot Springs segment was chosen because it is “ready, connected and moderate cost.” The preliminary total cost for the city phase is $1,688,808; the proposed FLAP request is $1,374,390 with a voluntary local match of 18.6% equal to $314,418. The match may include local, state or certain federal resources; staff said leverage funding is encouraged under FLAP scoring criteria.
Staff recommended the board authorize filing and acceptance of the FLAP application; the board will consider formal action at its July 15 meeting. The packet identified the project as part of earlier 2017 FLAP-funded corridor planning that completed environmental and engineering work for the larger trail.
