Adam RollinsThe Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will distribute more than $6.8 million to support trail construction and maintenance projects across the state.
The awards come from the National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF), a program that directs taxes generated by off-highway vehicle fuel purchases to build, renovate and buy trails. Both motorized and non-motorized trail projects are equally supported through the fund. In addition, the state will use a portion of the funds to support trail improvement projects in state parks.
The following are some projects receiving a portion of the funds:
Recipients in Harris County will receive multiple awards for upcoming trail projects. The funds will enable improvements to the Terry Hershey Trail and the Texas Motorized Trails Coalition (TMTC) Rio Bravo Adventure Park and Recreation Area. Plans include renovating six miles of trail and track, signage, electrical and septic upgrades, pavilion repairs, access road repairs, equipment repairs and rentals, resource surveys and engineering.
Additional work will include renovating three miles of asphalt hike and bike trail. The remaining funds will be used to buy a bulldozer/tractor with attachments, hand tools and equipment maintenance.
Recipients in Travis County will receive multiple awards for similar improvements across multiple trails. The funds will support the development of the Onion Creek Greenbelt trailhead and trail expansion, which will feature a .6-mile trial, parking area, utilities and revegetation efforts.
The Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center will receive improvements to the canyon and uplands trail. Work will consist of renovating 431 feet of trail and building 176 feet of natural surface trail with boardwalk renovation, fencing, interpretive signage and benches. Additional funds will support a conference designed around creating and maintaining Texas trails.
A selection of additional projects receiving funds include:
· The Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area in Bandera County will build six additional miles of multi-use natural surface trails.
· Beeville, Bee County, will improve community parks by renovating 2.6-miles of asphalt and gravel trails to 10-foot-wide asphalt trails across five sites, benches, trash cans, bike racks, water fountains, signage and lighting.
· Universal City, Bexar County, will build a 1.23-mile cement-stabilized base trail with wayfinding signage as part of the second phase of the Cibolo Creek Recreational Trail project.
· College Station, Brazos County, will finish the west phase trails project by building three miles of natural surface multi-use trail and .73-mile concrete trail connections.
· TMTC will renovate 10 miles of trail, repair and rent equipment, survey and engineer in the Escondido Draw Recreation Area in Crockett County.
