Little Rock, Arkansas – In a clear signal of renewed commitment to healthier living and stronger communities, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined top state officials on Wednesday to present nearly $470,000 in outdoor recreation grants to four Arkansas towns. These grants will help local governments design and build new walking trails aimed at encouraging physical activity and making public outdoor spaces more inviting.
The total of $468,838.69 was awarded to projects in Denning, Keo, Ozan, and Sulphur Springs as part of the revitalized Great Strides program. Originally launched in 2001, the initiative had gone dormant in 2017—until the Sanders administration brought it back to life in 2024 as part of its Natural State Initiative.
“The focus of the Great Strides program since we restarted it has been to make every part of Arkansas, particularly our smaller communities, great places to live and raise a family by investing in outdoor recreation opportunities,” said Governor Sanders. “Thank you to the teams at the Departments of Health and Parks, Heritage and Tourism who made these investments possible – and more importantly, thank you to the four communities receiving this funding for their desire and hard work to improve every Arkansans’ quality of life.”
The money for this round of grants is sourced from the Tobacco Settlement Fund, a pool originally created to support health-related efforts across the state. By channeling some of those dollars into trails, officials hope to encourage more Arkansans to get outside, move their bodies, and enjoy their natural surroundings—all while boosting local economies and enhancing the overall livability of their towns.
“These grants exemplify our shared commitment to enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities for all Arkansans, reflecting the bold vision of the Governor’s Natural State Initiative,” said Secretary Shea Lewis of the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. “When we support outdoor recreation, we’re doing more than improving parks and pathways—we’re investing in public health, economic growth, and quality of life.”
The selected cities and their grant amounts include:
• Denning: $73,897.50 for the City of Denning Park Trail
• Keo: $114,192 for the City of Keo Park Trail
• Ozan: $121,200 for the City of Ozan Park Trail
• Sulphur Springs: $159,550 for the City of Sulphur Springs Park Trail
Each of these projects will focus on constructing new health and fitness trails that are safe, accessible, and family-friendly. The trails are expected to serve as key community assets, giving residents new places to walk, run, and gather in nature.
“We are thrilled to be able to give communities the resources they need to design outdoor spaces that provide more opportunities for healthy living,” said Renee Mallory, Secretary of Health. “Outdoor trails can improve our physical, mental, and social health and wellness and allow for healthier lifestyle choices for ourselves, our families, and our communities.”
This latest funding round marks a continued effort by state leaders to place wellness, environment, and local pride at the center of community development. Over the years, Great Strides has backed 105 projects in 58 counties, with total funding reaching nearly $3.83 million since 2001.
“Today, we celebrate four different communities in Arkansas that now have the opportunity to expand and improve their access to outdoor recreation,” said Katherine Andrews, Director of the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation. “It is an honor that we can continue to provide these grants to communities that want to create new connections to the outdoors for their residents.”
For towns like Keo and Ozan, which have smaller populations and limited recreational infrastructure, this support could be a turning point—improving both quality of life and long-term health outcomes. And with the return of Great Strides, more Arkansas communities are expected to benefit from similar projects in the coming years.
As the state continues to promote its identity as the “Natural State,” programs like these remind residents and visitors alike of the deep connection between outdoor living and community well-being. With leaders backing this vision and dollars flowing to local projects, Arkansas is once again striding forward—one trail at a time.
