David Wright The Director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Bentonville (#11)

Trail EAffect Episode Eleven with David Wright – Bentonville Parks & Recreation Director

This Episode first aired on December 7th, 2020 on Mountain Bike Radio

Josh sits down with David Wright who is the Director of Parks and Recreation in Bentonville, AR. This is a particularly important and informative interview as Bentonville has an amazing parks system which also includes extensive hard surface and natural surface trails. Warning – Positive Community Development and Public Open Spaces ahead. Everything from Trails to Cricket is discussed.

Topics in the show include:

• The early story of David Wright and David literally grew up working with his parents to create a grass roots type of parks system in his home town. We also discuss David’s path to Parks and Recreation in Bentonville
• The early days of David as Parks Director in Bentonville, and how there were no organized forms of recreation offered in Bentonville before David arrived – Now there are 140 recreational programs.
• The importance of all parks and recreation facilities. This topic includes the process leading up to building a great community center, and the latest All-Inclusive Park that opened in October of 2019.
• The introduction of Hard Surface and Natural Surface trails to the community and how that has led to massive growth
• The importance of neighborhood connectivity via trails – which has showcased a true sense of community.
• The Razorback Greenway – a 40-mile greenway that connects the south end of Fayetteville to Bella Vista Arkansas
• How trails have increased property values and the quality of life.
• The Return on investment for trails in relation to other park amenities.
• The Future of Parks in Bentonville – which includes a massive system of Beaver Dams that will be preserved for the ecological and filtration benefits that the beaver dams provide.

Links:

Bentonville Parks and Recreation: https://www.bentonvillear.com/350/Parks-Recreation

Bentonville Inclusive Playground: https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2019/oct/20/bentonville-breaks-barriers-with-inclus/

Razorback Greenway: http://www.nwatrails.org/trail/razorback-regional-greenway/

Walton Foundation / People For Bike Study: https://www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org/learning/flash-cards/trails-and-cycling-in-northwest-arkansas

OZ Trails: https://oztrailsnwa.com/

The Trail EAffect podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

Trail EAffect Show Support:

Smith’s Bike Shop: https://smithsbikes.com/

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Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

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