Copy by Hope Walker

Photos by Marilyn Chavez & Gabby Friedhoff

The Arkansas Greenway is a 40-mile paved trail created in the 1990s to connect the small communities of the Northwest Arkansas area together. The trail extends from Fayetteville to Bella Vista, passing through the University of Arkansas, Bentonville, Springdale and more.

Along the length of the trail, there are popular NWA restaurants, shops and parks. For the students at the U of A, the greenway always offered a familiar and enjoyable opportunity to walk, run and bike around campus.

For sophomore Meredith Wright, a section of the greenway was always accessible for her since it was right outside the Pi Beta Phi house.

“I had never used the greenway much, but one night I decided to ride a scooter back to Pi Phi and it turned into such a peaceful, unexpected adventure,” Wright said. “The trail was quiet, and some parts were lit by streetlamps which made it feel super safe.”

In addition to providing a safe, environmentally friendly mode of transportation, it also brought friends together and gave them free and easy places to gather at. Fayetteville local Alexis Pruitt enjoyed exploring the random odds and ends of the trail with her friends.

 “There are lots of different gazebos and parks for people to mingle at,” Pruitt said. “I also found a little bridge over by Clear Creek and discovered that it’s really pretty in the winter.”

Such close access to easy transportation and outdoor activities is a rare amenity, but comes as a huge perk for students while attending the U of A.