HSV Trails Committee Soars Into 2025

L to R – Secretary Kathy Swanson & Chair Buzz Carpenter lead committee members in evaluating photo contest entries at the January Trails Committee Meeting

Working closely with Parks and Recreation staff members, the Hot Springs Village Trails Committee meets monthly to discuss promoting and maintaining the village trails. With over 30 miles of walking and biking trails, Hot Springs Village stands out as a nature-lovers paradise. All trails are dog-friendly, and many are accessible by a golf cart. Do you prefer water? There are also four kayak trails on Lake DeSoto. The Trails Committee is integral in ensuring Hot Springs Village trails are always in tip-top shape.

Despite the frigid temperatures on Tuesday, January 21, the dedicated members of the Trails Committee gathered to review the recent New Year Hike and photography contest entries and to plan upcoming projects.

Committee and Staff Attending the Meeting

James (Buzz) Carpenter – Chairperson
Kim Botkin – Vice-chair
Kathy Swanson – Secretary
Paul Hedgpeth
BB Johnson
Adam Birkner
Terry Wiley – Director of Parks and Recreation
Chase Reynolds – Outdoor Recreation Supervisor

Soaring into 2025 with the New Year Hike

Kicking off the New Year with a hike on January 3, seventy enthusiastic trekkers were treated to the awe-inspiring sight of a bald eagle soaring overhead, perfectly setting the tone for the adventure ahead.

Possible Landscaping Collaboration with Evening Lions

Buzz mentioned that an Evening Lions Club member approached him with a proposal. The club has identified an area they wish to beautify along the Hernando Trail with plantings. The Lions hope to collaborate with a high school group for the physical labor while they focus on the design. Outdoor Recreation Supervisor Chase Reynolds will consult with Parks and Recreation Director Terry Wiley to seek approval for this project.

Trail Signs Update

Chase provided an update on installing new metallic trail signs with QR codes, which began recently. Old signs and map boxes are being removed and stored. Plastic sign components will be handed over to Adam. Terry said the new signs look really good. The project is slated to be finished in March.

Cedar Creek Bench Repair

The team discussed the need for further assessment of the benches at Cedar Creek to identify which require repairs. They have 11 monogrammed boards, which may not correspond to the number of benches needing attention. Plans were made for Buzz to conduct an on-site review to finalize the number of boards required for repairs.

Work Days

Despite the icy temperatures, the dedicated committee has planned a workday for Wednesday, January 22.

On February 26, the committee will tackle the Coronado Dam Cleanup. Lake Coronado is undergoing a dredging drawdown, so it would not be too difficult to clean up debris caught in the rocks on the dam.

Dam-to-Dam Hike

Terry announced that the Dam-to-Dam Hike is scheduled to take place in May. More information is coming soon.

Stars and Stripes Celebration (July 4) Plans and Events

Reinforcing the importance of teamwork for a smooth execution of the Stars and Stripes event, each division in the Parks and Recreation Department is in charge of a specific component of the celebration.

Logistics: Norman Meredith, Recreation Maintenance Supervisor, will handle the logistics of the Stars and Stripes Celebration.

Concert: The Audio Visual Team is handling the concert details.

5K Race: Scheduled for July 4th, this event will seamlessly blend fitness and community engagement. The fitness center will focus on organizing the race. In the lead-up to the event, the Coronado Fitness Center will offer a two-month workout program to help participants prepare.

Fireworks: Terry will focus on the fireworks.

Fishing Derby: The Anglers Club and Lakes Department will concentrate on the Fishing Derby.

Photo Contest

The committee recently organized a photo contest, displaying all the entries on a screen for everyone to enjoy at the meeting. Rather than selecting winners by category, the decision was made to choose the top four photos overall. The winning contestants and photos are:

Adam Shared a Special Announcement

Bringing a beautiful and poignant personal touch to the end of the meeting, Committee Member Adam Birkner excitedly shared a special announcement with the committee. He and his wife are expecting a baby girl in mid-June. Congrats, Mr. And Mrs. Birkner!

Join the Hot Springs Village Trails Committee!

Although the committee is currently fully staffed, four terms are set to expire in May. Committee members with expiring memberships expressed various intentions about continuing their committee roles. If you are passionate about the great outdoors and looking to make a difference in our community, you might be interested in submitting an application to join the committee. The Hot Springs Village Trails Committee is always looking for enthusiastic and dedicated members to help maintain and improve our beautiful trails!

As a committee member, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Collaborate with fellow nature enthusiasts.
• Plan and execute trail maintenance projects.
• Advocate for the preservation and enhancement of our trail system.
• Make a positive impact on the recreational experiences of our residents and visitors.

No previous experience is necessary—just a love for the outdoors and a desire to contribute to our community. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a biking enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys a stroll through nature, we welcome you to join us!

To apply, please submit the application available here to jwhite@hsvpoa.org or in person at the HSVPOA Administration Building, 895 DeSoto Boulevard, with the attention of Julie White, Assistant to the General Manager.

Let’s work together to keep our trails safe, beautiful, and enjoyable for everyone. Become a part of something special—join the Hot Springs Village Trails Committee today!

By Cheryl Dowden; Media by Joe Dowden (except for contest entries)