PAC Paths Open to Riders for Exercise and Recreation
JONESBORO – With warmer weather and longer days, Arkansas State University’s PAC Paths program is encouraging students, faculty and staff and members of the community to come to campus for exercise and recreation.
The PAC (Pedestrian And Cyclist) Paths are marked trails on A-State’s roads and multi-use paths through campus. Designated in spring 2014, the PAC Paths represent 8.1 miles of the campus transportation network and are marked with the “share the road” sharrow symbol.
To make usage easier, A-State designed two PAC Paths Loops. The 1-mile Family Loop winds through the core areas of campus and is almost entirely off roadways on the multi-use paths.
“We see the Family Loop as a great starting point for youngsters to learn with parents to ride a bicycle or as a great way for groups to start walking or running programs for personal fitness,” A-State executive director of marketing and communication Bill Smith said.
The Family Loop includes the ASU Museum, located in the Dean B. Ellis Library. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and with free admission, the museum is a great rest stop for families who are riding on campus. The ASU Museum has both bike racks near its main entrance and a water bottle filing station located inside.
A 3.25-mile Campus Loop primarily uses the sharrowed roads of campus, and is geared more for riders who want more distance or higher speeds with the lower traffic environment of the A-State campus.
“Certainly runners can follow the Campus Loop on the sidewalks and get a good 5K distance,” Smith added.
During A-State’s business hours, non-university community members are encouraged to use the visitor parking spaces located along University Loop. To use the Family Loop without venturing onto regular roads, the visitor spots in lot S-18, located east of the Fine Arts Complex near the Red W.O.L.F. Center, are the best option. For runners and riders using the Campus Loop, convenient visitor parking is available in lot SE-1A located on University Loop.
“We want to let everyone know that our PAC Paths are open to all,” Smith said. “If you’re coming during the day, make sure to use visitor spaces away from the campus core buildings.”
Individuals and families that want to drive to campus to walk, run or ride after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays when the university is closed can use any non-reserved parking lot.
To download maps of the PAC Paths and the new PAC Paths Loops, go to AState.edu/Bike and look for the PAC Paths Loops link.
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