Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1493068
By Randy Rice | Special to McDonald County Reconnection Mountain biking has become an ever-growing recreation attraction throughout northwest Arkansas. Inspired by this, members of the Harry S. Truman Coordinating Council have begun discussions with communities in McDonald County that include connecting with one such trail in Northwest Arkansas called the Razorback Regional Greenway and extending it through McDonald County possibly up to Joplin. A 2017 study by the Walton Family Foundation and PeopleForBikes found 90,000 mountain bike tourists that year provided $137 million in economic benefits to Northwest Arkansas, and it has continued to expand. According to the National Association of Homebuilders, trails consistently remain the number one community amenity sought by prospective homeowners. Officials have shown some interest in creating trails in McDonald County and have held public meetings to discuss the issue with residents. A little further north, in Neosho, are trails at Morse Park called The High Ground Bike Preserve. "At this point we have an 8.2-mile single track mountain bike trail up on the hill," said Clint Dalbom, Director Parks & Recreation for the City of Neosho. "We also have a 2.45-mile hard surface trail and they both in tie together." Hike, and enjoy the bike great outdoors trail at big Sugar Creek State Park Courtesy photo Pineville bike Park Skate Spot 20 2023