In Paragould, a decade-long investment in walkability and wellness is reshaping the city’s landscape and helping create a more active lifestyle for the citizens. What began as a grassroots initiative in 2016 has grown into a multi-phase trail system that now spans over five miles of hard-surface paths, with more on the way.

Mayor Josh Agee, who took office in 2021, was part of the original group that launched the initiative. In 2016, he and other members of the community started the Greene County Future Fund, a nonprofit aiming to promote community-focused projects. Among their priorities were green space, curbside recycling, and a trail system that would connect key parts of the city. With grant support from the state’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), the city broke ground on the first trail segment in 2021. Today, Paragould is working on phases five and six, with the total mileage expected to reach seven to eight miles.

“It’s been a huge domino,” Agee said. “The trail was the first piece that changed how we think about developing our community. It shifted our focus from chasing industry to chasing people. When people come, industry follows.”

The trail runs alongside Eight Mile Creek, linking parks, schools, retail areas and neighborhoods. That connectivity has become central to Paragould’s strategy for growth and quality of life. Agee believes investments in trails and public spaces serve a dual purpose: attracting new residents and improving life for those already there.

“We spent less than half on the trail compared to what we’ve invested in a certified industrial site,” he said. “The trail benefits everyone who chooses to use it. And when industry visits, they see a community where people want to live.”

For Agee, the project is personal. A longtime runner and triathlete, he has completed multiple Ironman races and 100-mile ultramarathons. His passion for fitness began nearly two decades ago when he trained for his first 5K after the birth of his daughter.

“I ran a 28-minute 5K and thought I’d really done something,” he said. “That kicked off my love for running, cycling and staying active.”

Now, he sees the trail being used by residents of all ages, including his own children.

“There is something to be said about going out there and seeing my 14-year-old daughter and her friends running up and down that trail,” Agee said. “Knowing that’s who we built it for and seeing them use it is incredibly rewarding.”

Even in freezing temperatures, Agee says the trail stays busy. On a recent 28-degree morning, he expected to be alone on his jog. Instead, he passed several others braving the cold.

“It shows how much people value it,” he said. “And if we can get kids used to walking and running as a form of entertainment, not punishment, we’re setting them up for healthier lives.”

Paragould’s trail system is more than a path. It is a statement about what kind of city it wants to be. As Agee puts it, “You have to take care of the people who are already here. That is how you build a community worth staying in.”