The Baxter County Library Foundation has received an additional donation of more than $5,000 from Sonny Sharp for the Library Hill Trail project.
Foundation officials say the contribution will help fund enhancements beyond basic construction and address any unforeseen needs during the building process.
The project is supported in part by $456,000 in federal funding awarded in 2024 through the Arkansas Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program, covering about 80% of anticipated construction costs. Recent fundraising efforts secured the remaining funds needed to complete the trail, with Sharp’s gift allowing for added features and long-term improvements.
Sharp said the donation was made in memory of his late wife, Judi Ramey Sharp, a longtime library supporter who helped create and host the library’s first website and conducted extensive genealogical research. Her work remains available in the library’s research area.
Sharp expressed hope that fundraising will continue to cover unexpected costs and potential enhancements as construction moves forward.
The planned Library Hill Trail will be a multi-use walking and biking path looping around the library campus and connecting to nearby trail systems. Library officials say the project is intended to promote wellness, outdoor programming and community gathering.
Additional donations toward the project are still being accepted as planning continues in coordination with the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
More information is available at baxlib.org.
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