Amplifying Creator Voices for a Welcoming Northwest Arkansas
Through innovative transportation solutions, we can create a more vibrant, welcoming Northwest Arkansas where everyone thrives. Meet the creator partners helping us start a conversation about this work.
About the Creator Partnership
#VibrantNWA is a campaign by the Walton Family Foundation to spark crucial conversations about the region's future by partnering with local creators who have unique, authentic perspectives. Through creator voices, #VibrantNWA aims to educate and engage residents about the importance of accessible transportation options and vibrant cultural spaces. And it showcases where those amenities already exist.
This unique partnership embodies our Home Region program’s dedication to building a more vibrant, inclusive Northwest Arkansas, as well as our foundation-wide belief that those closest to the problem are also closest to the solution.
By reflecting the voices and needs of the community, #VibrantNWA aims to encourage the conversations necessary to build a region where everyone can thrive.
Watch and Read the Creators' Stories
Watching the city move. Letting the afternoon be the afternoon. The Ozark Regional Transit buses connect people across NWA. Join @blackownednwa for a trip around the region.
@schedulingadventure shares their favorite ways - from dining and shopping to enjoying nature and artwork - to experience downtown Bentonville by walking or biking.
@booksonherbrain explains how exploring the region's trail system has improved quality of life for her and her young family.
@beyondwithbrooke jumps on an Ozark Regional Transit bus to find her favorite snack spots between Rogers and Bentonville.
The Razorback Greenway connects Northwest Arkansas from Bella Vista to Fayetteville. As @nwarkansasmama share, the variety of biking trails provides wonderful accessibility to the region. Like her six year old says, "There’s always more to explore!”
Watch as @katepantier shows how it's easy to find accessible and affordable ways to get around the region.
Watch how @journeyarkansas uses public transit system to reach Northwest Arkansas' extensive trail system. The buses have bike racks and you can track them in real-time online.
@beyondwithbrooke takes us on a two-wheeled tour of Bentonville, with her toddler, and tells us how navigating the city by bike helps her feel inspired and tapped into her community.
@journeyarkansas says alternative and interconnected travel options in Northwest Arkansas build long-term vitality and creates vibrant communities.
Taking the bus isn’t just about skipping traffic, writes @blackownednwa. It feels "like tapping into a slower rhythm of Northwest Arkansas life."
Resources for Commuters
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Use this map to plan your trip on the trail connecting Northwest Arkansas residents to their communities, providing to access to art, culture and commerce in the region. -
Use this guide to get started on your car-free trips around Northwest Arkansas. -
Sign up for classes that teach foundational biking skills and confidence in commuting.
Meet the Creators
Connecting People and Places in Northwest Arkansas
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April 30, 2024From trails to interconnected public transit, Northwest Arkansas’ transportation needs are evolving -
September 25, 2023By listening to the people and communities of Northwest Arkansas, we can find solutions that improve regional affordability
Connecting Communities: Advancing Accessible Transportation in Northwest Arkansas
Creating a truly welcoming community means ensuring that everyone can afford housing and navigate Northwest Arkansas with ease to enjoy all its opportunities. The foundation believes transportation challenges in the region can be solved by actively listening to the communities we serve. When everyone participates in creating transportation solutions, it improves access for everyone.
See More Creator Content
Watch Instagram reels from earlier in this project
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Watch as Karissa Tonack of @nwarkansasmamas discovers just how much she and her kids could see of the region by bike over two days. -
Imagine a 40 mile multi-use paved trail, connecting Northwest Arkansas. If you’re a local, you don’t have to imagine. Joseph Nguyen, aka @hangrypedaller, explains why. -
Join Brittany Balz from @JourneyArkansas to explore Ozark Regional Transit's on-demand services in Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers and Bentonville. It’s ADA accessible and $1.25 per ride. -
Watch as Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, aka @beyondwithbrooke, as she discovers how quickly she can get around Bentonville on the bus during rush hour. What she learned - it's faster than you might think. -
If you’re looking for small town charm, urban amenities and nature adventure, biking Northwest Arkansas is a must, says @katepantier -
Rachel Fox of @NwaGirlGang shows us how the Ozark Regional Transit Bus System is an affordable, accessible option for residents fully explore their community. -
Jasmine Hudson and J'Aaron Merchant - known on Instagram as @jazzyjaenwa - make a day out of hoping on and off the Ozarks Regional Transit Bus. RT. It's not only easy - it's free!