Benton Bike Park named "Outdoor Facility of the Year" by the Arkansas Recreation & Parks Association

Benton Bike Park named “Outdoor Facility of the Year” by the Arkansas Recreation & Parks Association

It seems like a new trail opens in Arkansas every other week. Despite that stiff competition, Benton Bike Park came out on top as the "Outdoor Facility of the Year."

By Greg Heil
October 15, 2024 Last Updated: October 15, 2024

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In a state that’s as flush with trail development as Arkansas, it’s no small feat to be named the “Outdoor Facility of the Year” — but that’s precisely the accolade that Benton Bike Park just earned. The award was given at the Arkansas Recreation & Parks Association’s (ARPA) 2024 annual conference held September 25-27.

The City of Benton Parks and Recreation received several other awards at the event, including Outstanding New Professional for Special Events Manager Brandon Spurlock, Therapeutic Recreation Program of the Year for the Miracle League, Natural Resources Program of the Year for Youth Kayaking in partnership with Saline River Canoe, and another Outdoor Facility of the Year award for the Ralph Bunche Amphitheater, according to MySaline.com. Note that “Outdoor Facility of the Year” is awarded in three different categories: under $200,000, $200,000-$500,000, and over $500,000.

Benton Bike Park was designed and built by Progressive Trail Design (PTD), and PTD was honored in the award as well.

This award-winning bike park features a skills course, downhill trail, dual slalom, and multi-use perimeter trail. The park is naturally separated into two distinct zones by a drainage channel. In the lower park you’ll find the downhill trail with a second alternate line splitting off halfway down. The lower park also provides a beginner jump trail and an intermediate jump trail. The multi-use, cross-country trail around the perimeter is one mile long.

Despite the relatively short mileage, there are still plenty of fun features to play on in the park, according to PTD. The upper park includes a dual slalom course; an advanced jump line “with fly-over the dual slalom, split wood drop, and two options at the bottom;” an “industrial/semi-architectural start hub;” and an intermediate jump line. The starting hub is visually impressive, as it is fabricated from four 40-foot shipping containers and one 20-foot container. Finally, there’s also a dedicated session zone near the base area with jump lines ranging from beginner to advanced.