The city of Fayetteville, Arkansas, has been planning and building multi-use trails for several years. This effort recently received nationwide recognition when Mayor Dan Coody was presented an award for climate protection at the 75^th annual meeting of the U. S. Conference of Mayors in Los Angeles last month.

More than 100 cities competed. Applicants were judged on mayoral leadership, creativity and innovation, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and/or improved quality of life in their community.

Fayetteville's award was in the small cities category. Albuquerque, New Mexico, won a similar award in the large city category

Sixteen miles of multi-use trails have been built to date with approximately five miles added each year. Future plans call for a total of 129 miles of multi-use trails and 163 miles of on-street linkages to the city.

These trails add to the quality of life in our city. I frequently drive by some sections of the Heritage Trail and see people walking, jogging, or bicycling. Lake Fayetteville boasts more than five miles of nature trail where people can be seen enjoying the surroundings every day. More than a dozen other trails of various lengths and terrain can be easily accessed throughout the city.

On a slightly different note but one that ties in with our quality of life discussion, the city of Fayetteville has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. This award goes to communities for their commitment to community forest. It is the twelfth year Fayetteville has received this national recognition.

For more information:

http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/54448

http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/54141

http://www.accessfayetteville.org/government/parks_and_recreation/press/2007_tree_city_usa.html