The Greers Ferry Lake Trails Council (GFLTC) is a grassroots group of volunteers who are passionate about trails. After learning of several failed attempts to form a trail system along Sulphur Creek since the early 1960s—primarily using the abandoned M&NA RR right of way—Frank Wimberley, founder of the council, called a public meeting in September of 2009 to evaluate the renewed interest of such a project. After several subsequent meetings and an advisory visit by a professional trail-building group, Progressive Designs, the group organized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and formed by-laws, a board of directors, and a masterplan. The masterplan by the Crafton, Tull & Spaks engineering firm was funded by a donation from the Cleburne County Industrial Development Commision.
The first easement was given by the Micky Barnett family in 2010 to the City of Heber Springs along the RR ROW from Bittle Rd eastward about 3/8 of a mile and volunteers cleared the corridor. Donations were made and the Cleburne Co road department furnished labor to build a gravel-surfaced section with a final cost of about $1 per linear foot. Other donated easements quickly followed from the Garlinghouse Family, the Douglass Family, the Young Business Men’s Club, the Josh Combs family and First Security Bank. The first asphalt and ADA-compliant section was completed, with a 80/20 grant through the state highway department and a 20% match from the City of Heber Springs. This section extended from S 4th St to S Broadway, about ½ mile, at a cost of about $67 per linear foot. Although somewhat fragmented, the initial completed sections were all part of the masterplan and would eventually be tied together as opportunity permitted.
With the city and other trail advocates owning much of the land along the remaining trail corridor, easements were in place for most of the trail system. In March of 2020, the Heber Springs citizens voted to refinance an existing bond issue to lower the interest rate. $1.6m was appropriated to complete the trail surface.
GFLTC adopted the Sugarloaf Shredders in 2020, a 6th-12th grade kids competitive mountain bike team sanctioned by the national organization, NICA.
In addition to this website, the council has a presence on Facebook for posting photos, videos, milestones, and current events as well as comments and suggestions from the public.
Completion of the complete trail surface is anticipated in 2023. Other features such as signage, trailhead pavilions, kiosks, lighting etc will be completed as funds become available.
