By: Andrew Altman
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV)- 144-acre Markham Hill is one of the last forested areas in Fayetteville, but it might not maintain that title for long.
While Markham Hill has been a place where nature enthusiasts have come to relax for decades, a Real Estate group is asking the city of Fayetteville for permission to put a large commercial and high-density residential development in the area. Residents across the Northwest Arkansas area have been opposed to this, and have created petitions to try and get the city to deny the request to build on the land.
To many Arkansans, Markham Hill has given them fond memories of horseback riding, hiking, camping, and running over the years. They believe that it is a historical landmark in the city of Fayetteville and that it shouldn’t be touched. Residents know how rare it is to have 144-acres of protected and preserved forest in a city this size, and that makes it even more special. Those opposed to tearing down the forest have pointed out that just one acre of trees traps up to 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide, keeping the city clean and eliminating greenhouse gases.
But as the city of Fayetteville continues to grow in population, the lack of housing has become a glaring issue that must be addressed in the near future. Building on Markham Hill would effectively solve this problem, but it might leave residents in shambles.