Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined Arkansas state officials on Tuesday to award $468,838.69 in Outdoor Recreation Grants to four cities across the state as part of the revived Great Strides program. The announcement marks a significant step in the administration’s efforts to improve quality of life through outdoor recreation, particularly in small and rural communities.
Accompanied by Secretary of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Shea Lewis, Secretary of Health Renee Mallory, and Office of Outdoor Recreation Director Katherine Andrews, Governor Sanders emphasized the importance of community wellness and access to outdoor spaces. The grant program, funded through Arkansas’ Tobacco Settlement Fund, was relaunched in 2024 after being dormant since 2017. Its reintroduction fulfills one of the key recommendations of the 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. She thanked the Departments of Health and Parks, Heritage and Tourism, as well as the local communities for their commitment to improving life for Arkansans.
Secretary Shea Lewis highlighted the broader impact of the program, stating that the grants reflect a shared commitment to improving public health, driving economic growth, and enhancing quality of life through outdoor investments. Health Secretary Renee Mallory echoed this, noting that trails and outdoor spaces are vital for encouraging healthy living and providing opportunities for physical, mental, and social wellness.
Katherine Andrews, Director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation, emphasized the importance of access. “Today, we celebrate four different communities in Arkansas that now have the opportunity to expand and improve their access to outdoor recreation,” she said. “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.”
The 2025 Great Strides grant recipients and projects are:
– 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 city will use the funds to establish or enhance health and fitness trails, providing safe, accessible spaces that promote physical activity and community well-being.