Carol Ann Cross Greenway and Boardwalk Named ARPA Hard Surface Trail of the Year
Fort Smith, Arkansas — The City of Fort Smith is proud to announce that the Carol Ann Cross Greenway and Boardwalk has been selected as the 2025 Hard Surface Trail of the Year by the Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA).
Founded in 1964, ARPA is a professional non-profit organization that supports parks, recreation, and leisure services across Arkansas. The association works to promote accessible recreation opportunities, strengthen professional leadership, and foster high standards for parks and recreation programs statewide.
This recognition of the Carol Ann Cross Park Greenway & Boardwalk is an exciting honor,” said Sara Deuster, Director of Parks and Recreation. “I am proud Fort Smith was recognized by park professionals throughout the state for this year’s award. It’s important to thank our private partners, who contributed over $69,000 toward this project, in addition to funding the preliminary design. Receiving this award says a lot about not only this project but also the improvements we are making throughout our parks system."
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Located at 1601 South 74th Street, Carol Ann Cross Park spans more than 30 acres and serves as one of Fort Smith’s most popular recreation areas. The park features a scenic lake for fishing, picnic areas, restrooms, and an inclusive playground.
The greenway and boardwalk project added approximately 0.45 miles of new concrete trail and 0.15 miles of elevated boardwalk with a river overlook in the park’s northeast corner, creating a 1.2-mile continuous walking path throughout the park. Both the trail and boardwalk are 8 feet wide and fully ADA-compliant. This greenway and boardwalk, along with other park improvements—including the inclusive playground, new restrooms, an additional fishing pier, and expanded access to natural areas—support Fort Smith’s goals of promoting active lifestyles, community wellness, and connectivity.Click to edit this placeholder text.
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For more information about Fort Smith parks, trails, and recreation opportunities, visit fortsmithar.gov/parks
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About the City of Fort Smith
The City of Fort Smith is committed to providing resident-focused services, maintaining reliable infrastructure, and fostering economic advancement to support a thriving community. We strive to be a dynamic, business, family, and military-friendly destination that welcomes people from around the world,
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