07/31/2026
Walton Visits Local Museum
By Rachel Freeze
A visit from Lynne Walton, daughter-in-law of the late Walmart founder Sam Walton and a representative of the Walton Foundation, brought state and local leaders together in McGehee last week to discuss the future of the Delta Heritage Trail and the economic opportunities it could create for southeast Arkansas.
Walton met with McGehee Mayor Jeff Owyoung, local and state officials, and representatives of Arkansas State Parks to discuss ongoing development of the Delta Heritage Trail (DHT) State Park, as well as the Japanese American Internment Museum in McGehee.
Mayor Owyoung said the meeting provided valuable insight into the long-term potential of the trail and its impact on the region.
"It was a great meeting, and it left us with a lot of information about not only the Delta Heritage Trail, but the economic impact it can have on our area," Owyoung said.
The Delta Heritage Trail State Park is a 960-acre, 84.5-mile rail-to-trail conversion project that stretches through Arkansas, Desha and Phillips counties. Designed to connect communities across the Arkansas Delta, the trail is intended to provide outdoor recreational opportunities while serving as a catalyst for tourism and economic development throughout southeast Arkansas.
According to Arkansas State Parks, the project is expected to be fully completed by the end of the year.
As development continues, Arkansas State Parks also is exploring redevelopment opportunities at four historic properties located along the trail. Those facilities include the former Yancopin Store in Watson, the Snow Lake Gin in Snow Lake, the Barton Gin in West Helena, and the Barton Seed House in West Helena. Officials say the sites offer significant potential for creative renovation and adaptive reuse through public-private partnerships.
A 2019 economic impact study estimated that once the trail is complete, it could generate approximately $13.8 million annually through indirect visitor spending.
Much of that anticipated growth is tied to the Natural State Initiative (NSI) Economic Opportunity Zones, which encompass the state park boundaries and extend one mile beyond them. The zones were established to encourage private investment and strengthen Arkansas' outdoor recreation economy by promoting tourism-related businesses and developments.
Projects located within the zones may qualify for state incentives and tax credits, whether they are developed on privately owned land or on state park property operated through private partnerships.
Among the available incentives are sales tax credits of 15 percent for projects located in counties with low unemployment rates and 25 percent for projects in high unemployment counties. Businesses creating new full-time permanent jobs also may qualify for an income tax credit equal to 4 percent of the total payroll for those employees.
Beyond its economic potential, the Delta Heritage Trail is designed to showcase the unique natural beauty, history and culture of the Arkansas Delta through a variety of outdoor recreational and educational experiences.
Visitors currently can participate in guided bicycle rides across the historic Yancopin Bridge, hiking excursions on the bridge, kayak tours at Kate Adams, and seasonal nature programs featuring activities such as alligator viewing and wildflower hikes.
Future programming is expected to expand to include multi-day cycling and paddling excursions, hospitality experiences, partnerships with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, sunrise and sunset bicycle rides, and additional nature-based educational programs.
Officials also plan to celebrate completion of the trail with a grand opening festival, followed by annual celebrations in the years ahead.
In addition to trail-related activities, Arkansas State Parks continues to develop community programming throughout the region. Upcoming events include John H. Johnson Day on Nov. 7, 2026, at the Johnson Museum in Arkansas City. Organizers also envision future events such as fishing derbies in Arkansas City, partnerships with Owlfest, hunter education programs and other community-focused outdoor activities.
Local leaders believe the Delta Heritage Trail represents more than just a recreational destination. They see it as a long-term investment capable of attracting visitors, encouraging new businesses and strengthening the economy of southeast Arkansas while preserving and celebrating the Delta's rich cultural and historical heritage.
