New Paved Path to Connect to Craighead Forest Park
The 1.5-mile walkway will provide local pedestrians with safer, more consistent access to the popular park.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Hiking
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Jonesboro is set to build a 1.5-mile paved walkway along South Culberhouse Street to improve pedestrian access to Craighead Forest Park. The project, funded by a $977,000 grant, will create a safer route for residents traveling to the park.
Why it matters
Currently, the park, which draws over 100,000 visitors each year, is only accessible by car. This development improves safety and offers a new way for community members to incorporate walking into their routines.
The city received a $977,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Transportation to fund the construction of a 10-foot-wide, 1.5-mile path. While the project is confirmed, the specific timeline for breaking ground remains to be determined.
The players
Arkansas Department of Transportation
The state agency responsible for overseeing infrastructure, highway safety, and multimodal transit funding.
Craighead Forest Park
A prominent local natural area that attracts more than 100,000 annual visitors for outdoor recreation.
The details
The new 10-foot-wide path will run along the east side of South Culberhouse Street, beginning at the main entrance of Craighead Forest. It is designed to connect directly with an existing trail on Southern Ridge Boulevard, creating a more accessible network for pedestrians. Future plans aim to link this path to a trail north of Southwest Drive, eventually establishing a continuous corridor from the park entrance up to the Hilltop area.
Timeline
October 29, 2026: Grant funding for the trail project was announced.
Health Landscape
This project aligns with the national trend of utilizing the federal Transportation Alternatives Program to integrate active transit into existing community infrastructure. It marks a shift away from car-only access for local parks toward more walkable, health-promoting urban design.
Increasing access to walking paths makes it easier to incorporate low-impact physical activity into your weekly routine. If you live near the South Culberhouse corridor, you may eventually find it easier to reach the park by foot rather than relying on vehicle transport.
The takeaway
Reliable access to natural areas is linked to higher levels of consistent physical activity. Consider monitoring city updates for the construction start date to plan your future transit routes to the park.
Further reading
For more ways to enjoy the outdoors safely, explore our Hiking resources.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kait8.
Live Poll
Should your local government prioritize building new pedestrian walkways to improve community safety?
