The ambitious Trails at Mena project calls for the construction of up to 100 miles of new trail near the City of Mena, with chairlift infrastructure providing lift-accessed trail riding with 1,300 vertical feet of descending. The proposed action from the US Forest Service released in July calls for up to five chairlifts to be constructed in this expansive project.
While the chairlifts and downhill trails are slowly working their way through the USFS public comment process, construction has already been completed on the very first singletrack in the Trails at Mena project, located in the Ward Lake Zone. The Ward Lake Zone is situated on the southeast end of the proposed development, close to the City of Mena. This initial development provides easily accessible mountain biking for local residents and is a critical access point to the future trail system.
The trails in the Ward Lake Zone, which are set to open to the public this fall, currently comprise two blue downhill flow trails of 0.6 miles in length with a 0.7-mile singletrack climbing trail to access the downhill hub. In addition, “a 1.2-mile aggregate surface beginner-friendly biking/hiking perimeter trail encircles the old lake [and] will be the future launching pad for the park,” according to Rob Grunnagle, Marketing Director for Progressive Trail Design (PTD), the company that built this first phase of trail development.
While the singletrack mileage built so far is minimal, the importance of this parcel is primarily connectivity to other areas. During this phase of construction, a spacious 5.75-acre trailhead has been built, which “can comfortably handle significant parking and gathering infrastructure,” according to the trail design plan.
While the Ward Lake trails aren’t directly adjacent to the City of Mena, they’re still rideable right from the house for local residents via a short pavement connection. However, singletrack connectivity for local residents could improve soon. “We are also wanting to add a trail connection from the Ward Lake Trails to town,” said Seth Smith, Mayor of Mena. “I believe we have identified the corridor and [are] now seeking grants to bring the trail to life.”
The new Ward Lake trails can easily be connected to historic trails, such as Earthquake Ridge and the Settler’s Loop, nearby in the National Forest for a longer ride. In addition, future plans for the Ward Lake Zone include “adding a green trail within the system to give less experienced riders the same opportunities as more experienced riders,” according to Smith.
The total project cost for the current construction phase was $374,550, most of which was funded by a $275,000 Economic Development Association grant awarded to the City.
The new Ward Lake trails, while exciting in their own right, are just the tip of the iceberg in the massive Trails at Mena project!
