Alma, Arkansas: A Small Town with Big Dreams
Nestled in the heart of the Ozarks, Alma, Arkansas, might seem like just another small town, but it's at the forefront of an exhilarating transformation—a Mountain Bike Renaissance that’s breathing new life into the community. This isn’t just some fleeting trend; it’s a movement deeply woven into the town's DNA. Alma has always celebrated outdoor adventure, and now, that spirit is evolving, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cycling and community engagement.
With an outpouring of enthusiasm for mountain biking and outdoor recreation, Alma is seizing new opportunities to inspire its youth, invigorate local businesses, and redefine its identity as a haven for bikers of all ages. One standout project capturing this renewed spirit is the development of the Mena Mountain Bike Park at Ward Lake—a place that promises thrilling trails and a vibrant hub for outdoor lovers. To learn more about the new MTB park, visit Arkansas Outside. On Thursday, the City of Mena celebrated the grand opening of this new trail system, which is expected to attract visitors from far and wide. You can read more about the event and the community's excitement here.
The founders of LockStop—Michael Burton, Clayton Woodruff, and Ian White—are among those eager to experience the new trails firsthand. "We can't wait to put tread on the dirt and rip it!" said Clayton Woodruff. This embodies what LockStop is all about: making outdoor adventure accessible, bringing people together, and helping communities thrive. "LockStop is devoted to providing convenient, secure parking while transforming essential data into actionable insights for the community," said Lockstop CTO Ian White. Learn more about LockStop's data-driven approach to improving micromobility here. The company is proud to be part of Alma’s biking culture and to contribute to the growing energy in the region.
Unlocking Potential: The Alma Hackathon
But it’s not just about the trails. Alma’s commitment to growth is extending beyond biking—it’s investing in the minds of its youth. This year, the Mena School District has teamed up with a local tech startup for an exciting NoCode Hackathon that’s generating some serious buzz. LockStop is thrilled to be involved. Starting November 1, 2024, middle and high school students will use the innovative NYX NoCode platform to create digital solutions that promote the new Trails at Mena Project. Find more information on the NYX NoCode platform here. This event gives students a creative outlet to support the community while learning skills that could set them up for future success.
The Trails at Mena Project aims to establish Mena, Arkansas, as a premier destination for outdoor recreation, with an expansive network of singletrack trails designed to attract mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts from near and far. These students are stepping up to craft projects that amplify and support this ambitious trail system—whether by developing apps that highlight the trails, tools that promote local cycling tourism, or solutions that integrate cycling into Mena’s broader community life.
The NYX NoCode platform, created by Karen Kilroy, allows users to build websites and applications without writing a single line of code. These students are about to push NYX NoCode to its absolute limits, creating projects that bring cycling and community together.
Michael Burton shared, "I grew up in subsidized housing where education wasn’t always prioritized and that leads to inaccessibility—five generations of my family have lived there. When education isn’t valued, it places a ceiling on what’s possible. I’m blessed to be where I am today, but what excites me most is helping remove the whole roof for others—letting these kids see that the sky isn’t the limit; it’s just the beginning. Often, it comes down to access. Knowledge is the key, and with technology advancing at lightning speed, these kids can craft their own learning experiences based on what excites them."
He added, "AI is like pouring… well, maybe rocket fuel doesn’t quite capture it, but it’s breaking down barriers to learning faster than ever before. We're thrilled to see the barriers to creativity crumble. As AI takes over mundane tasks, it frees up time to think, innovate, and live in worlds that don’t exist—until we build them. And now, that power is in the hands of anyone!"
This hackathon is more than just an event—it’s an opportunity for Alma’s youth to get hands-on with technology and see how it can shape their future. They’ll be exposed to challenges that stretch their creativity, refine their skills, and ultimately help them realize their potential. In a town like Alma, where the community is rallying behind its young people, the excitement surrounding this hackathon is infectious.
The Visionary Behind the Hackathon
Karen Kilroy, the driving force behind this hackathon, is not just a visionary technologist; she’s also the CEO of Kilroy Blockchain and the brilliant mind behind NYX NoCode. You can learn more about Karen's work at Kilroy Blockchain. Her platform, launched just this past June, is a game-changer for people who want to build things but aren’t coders. It’s all about democratizing access to powerful AI tools—and this hackathon is a perfect showcase of what’s possible. Karen’s pioneering work in AI and blockchain, including her role as AI/ML Task Force Co-Chair for the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, makes her an essential player in shaping the future of digital innovation.
Thanks to Karen's leadership, these students aren’t just creating websites or apps—they’re developing skills that can fuel Arkansas’s tech ecosystem and elevate Mena’s reputation as a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Karen has been instrumental in fostering an environment where students are encouraged to dream big, dive into technology, and engage in real-world problem-solving in new and exciting ways.
LockStop: Supporting Alma’s Growth
LockStop is proud to partner with the other sponsors (list below), of this hackathon, inspiring young minds and bringing the community together through education, technology, and outdoor recreation. Discover more about our partners like Startup Junkie and ARise. Each of the 200 participating students will receive a $5 Walmart gift card, along with swag from LockStop, NYX NoCode, Startup Junkie, and ARise. It’s a small token of appreciation for these future innovators and a way to keep them excited for what lies ahead.
Sponsor Callout
A huge thank you to the sponsors who are making the Mena NoCode Hackathon possible:
As the Mountain Bike Renaissance continues in Alma and places like Ward Lake transform into playgrounds for cyclists of all levels, LockStop remains committed to ensuring that access and security are front and center. It’s not just about locking bikes—it’s about unlocking potential, and this hackathon is a testament to that vision.
Alma’s heart beats stronger as it invests in its future—whether through new mountain biking trails or by inspiring the minds of tomorrow. As the community rides the wave of innovation and outdoor adventure, it’s clear that there are no limits to what can be accomplished. And who knows—maybe one day, everyone will be riding a trail inspired by one of these very students. Let’s make it happen!
Check out the LockStop Demo Video to see it in action!