the city’s greatest strength. “We all come together when something’s needed,” he says, highlighting how collaboration between local and state levels is stronger now than ever. The mayor’s roots run deep in the community—his experience with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and fire department gives him a unique vantage point on the city’s growth. “Strength in numbers,” he says, “when you have strength in numbers, you can move mountains.” And moving mountains is precisely what the city is doing, though in a different sense. Mena, Arkansas, is developing a major mountain biking destination on Rich Mountain, the state’s second-highest peak. Mayor Smith describes the project as a collaborative effort involving the Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation, Arkansas State Parks, and the United States Federal Forest Service. The city, which owns 160 acres at the mountain’s base, has already constructed four miles of trails set to open soon. The ambitious plan aims to develop 120 miles of lift-access trails, potentially transforming Mena into a regional hub for outdoor enthusiasts. The trail network will wind through 8,800 acres of Federal Forest Service land, connecting Mena to the Queen Wilhelmina State Park at the summit, known for its stunning views. The mayor spotlights the project’s uniqueness: “You have three landowners involved—the city, the state parks, and the federal government—all working together on this.” Final approval is expected by early 2025. REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN Mena’s downtown is not just a hub for commerce; here, the city focuses significantly on improving the quality of life and boosting the local economy. Mayor Smith speaks with ambition and pragmatism, particularly when it comes to making the area more walkable, accessible, and visually appealing. “Most of our downtown, on Main Street, we already have ten-foot sidewalks,” he explains, pointing out that Mena is ahead of the curve in terms of accessibility. These wide sidewalks comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), except for about 2,000 linear feet. However, there’s already a plan in motion to address that gap. “We applied for a grant to extend the streetscape, and we got it,” he says, referring to a project stretching these wide sidewalks to what the locals call “the gateway,” the starting point for the climb up Rich Mountain. The streetscape project in Mena goes beyond sidewalks, including decorative light poles to enhance the downtown atmosphere. Mayor Smith envisions a city where pedestrian and bicycle routes connect every central point of interest. “We applied for a $3.5 million planning grant to connect every major point of interest in Mena via bicycle 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 10 MENA, AR
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