Page 13 - RVO-TR-GreersFerryLake2020

LIFE ON GREERS FERRY LAKE • ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE THREE RIVERS EDITION/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 2020 13VV
Serving Central Arkansas for Over 36 Years
Sales - Parts - Repairs - ATV’s - Harleys -Japanese - UTVs
Conway Cycle Shop
501-327-2917
1523 Mill Street, Conway, Arkansas 72034 Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 8:30am - 5:30pm Wed. 8:30am - 4:30pm • Sat. 8:30am - 12:00pm Closed Sunday www.conwaycycleshop.com
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Located on the north shore of Greers Ferry Lake, Fairfield Bay offers more than 90 miles of ATV/UTV trails.
OFF-ROAD OFFERINGS Fairfield Bay boasts abundant ATV/UTV trails
BY SARAH DECLERK / CREATIVE SERVICES WRITER
With more than 90 miles of ATV and UTV trails, Fairfield Bay offers visitors the opportunity to feel the wind on their faces as they ride through the scenic wilderness around Greers Ferry Lake.
Paul Wellenberger, the mayor of Fairfield Bay, said the trails trace their roots to the beginning of the planned community, which was plotted with 185 miles of planned roads. While 75 miles of the roads were finished to serve homes, the rest sat idle for 50 years.
Seeking a way to utilize the unused roads, the city helped pass legislation that allowed the city to turn 90 miles of the roads into ATV/UTV trails three years ago.
“ ey are perfect for that use,” Wellenberger said. “We have turned a totally unused 90 miles of roads that were bringing us no value into a tourist attraction that is bringing us many new visitors at very little cost to us.”
He added that the city is currently exploring the possibility of adding two 1-acre parking lots for those who bring in equipment by trailer.
Guided excursions are hosted through Adventure Trails, owned by Fairfield Bay resident David Floyd, who provides guided, pet-friendly tours and equipment rentals, Wellenberger said.
e city website, visitfairfieldbay.com, offers maps of the trails, which are divided
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Visitors to Fairfield Bay can participate in guided tours of the ATV/UTV trails.
into four segments based on difficulty level. e city advises visitors to wear clothes that can get dirty, protective eyewear and helmets, as well as sunscreen and insect repellent. Vis- itors are also advised to bring water.
Closed-toe shoes are mandatory, and riders 16 and younger must wear helmets. A valid driver’s license is required to drive UTVs. e trails are not recommended for pregnant women or individuals with back injuries, neck injuries or heart conditions.
“ e trails draw large crowds, and every- one really enjoys them,” Wellenberger said. “What they mostly love is that [the trails] are easy to access, and many times, you’ll feel like you’re deep in the woods, when actually you may be just a few yards from a paved street.”