How Public Trails Are Bringing Leflore County Closer Together

A trail is never just a trail. For the people of Leflore County, Old Frisco Trail and the new PBR Trail have become something much more than a place to walk or ride. They are gathering places, training grounds, community projects, and a source of genuine local pride. Here is a look at how LWA's trails are making Leflore County a better place to live, work, and connect.

A Place for Everyone

One of the best things about a public trail is that it truly belongs to everyone. On any given day at Old Frisco Trail, you might find a retired couple out for their morning walk, a group of high school cross country runners logging training miles, families with strollers, cyclists, and plenty of dog owners out enjoying a leash-friendly outing with their four-legged companions.

The trail has long been a favorite spot for dog lovers in the area, offering a safe, scenic, and welcoming environment for pets and their people to get outside together. It is the kind of place where you run into your neighbors, strike up a conversation with a stranger, and leave feeling a little more connected to the community around you.

Supporting Our Students

Old Frisco Trail has become an important training resource for local student athletes. The Poteau High School cross country team regularly uses the trail for practice, taking advantage of its flat, crushed stone surface and safe, car-free environment. Having a quality training space like this available right in their backyard is a real asset for young athletes and their coaches.

For many young people, trails offer belonging along with recreation, and in some communities, trails are among the first things young adults mention when explaining why they stayed or chose to return after leaving. Investing in spaces like Old Frisco Trail is one of the ways Leflore County signals to its younger generation that this is a community worth sticking around for.

Events That Bring the Community Together

Over the years, Old Frisco Trail has become a hub for community events that draw people together from across the region. Here are a few favorites:

The Glow Run and Half Marathon/15k In partnership with the Poteau Chamber of Commerce, Old Frisco Trail hosts an annual mid-September running event that includes a 5k Glow Run and a Half Marathon/15k. These events fill the trail with energy, friendly competition, and community spirit, drawing runners of all skill levels and turning the trail into a celebration.

Brave the Mud Run The Brave the Mud Run 5k begins at the Leflore County Fairgrounds and runs through the Frisco Trails, with participants tackling challenging, muddy, and fun obstacles along the course. The event benefits victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Latimer and Leflore counties, with registration proceeds going directly toward essential services for victims and their families. With costume contests, chip timing, finisher medals, and wave options for every competitive level, it is one of the most fun and community-minded events on the local calendar.

Events like these do more than get people moving. They raise money for important causes, bring visitors into our county, and remind everyone just how much this community has to celebrate.

Volunteer Days and Community Ownership

The trail does not take care of itself, and that is actually one of the most beautiful things about it. Over the years, community members have shown up time and time again for volunteer clean-up days, picking up trash, planting trees, and helping keep the trail in great shape for everyone to enjoy.

These volunteer days are about more than just maintenance. They are a reminder that this trail belongs to the community, and that the community cares enough to show up for it. Trail work builds trust between volunteers, organizations, and community members, and those relationships become the foundation for future projects both related to trails and beyond them.

If you want to get involved, we would love to have you. Sign up for our mailing list to be notified about upcoming clean-up days and volunteer opportunities.

Good for the Community, Good for the County

The impact of a well-loved trail goes beyond the people using it on any given day. Research shows that communities with well-developed trail networks tend to retain more residents and attract higher-income households, remote workers, and businesses that prioritize employee well-being, contributing to stronger local economies and greater investment in community infrastructure.

Homes near community trails often see a property value premium ranging from 5% to 10%, which is good news for homeowners and the broader tax base alike. A thriving trail system is an investment in the long-term health and vitality of the entire county.

Come Be Part of It

Whether you are lacing up your shoes for the first time, training for a race, walking your dog, or looking for a way to give back, LWA's trails have a place for you. Old Frisco Trail has been a cornerstone of this community for nearly 30 years, and with the PBR Trail on the way, the best is still ahead.

We hope to see you out there.