City seeks to expand trail system

HARLINGEN — The city’s next trail could wind 2.4 miles along the Arroyo Colorado, from Dixieland to McKelvey parks.

Earlier this week, city commissioners approved an application for a $2.5 million grant from the Texas Department of Transportation.

As part of the grant’s requirements, the city must come up with $865,912 to fund the $3.4 million project.

“It expands our trail system and provides more miles for the public to enjoy and be active in the outdoors,” Assistant City Manager Carlos Sanchez said yesterday.

The project would become the latest extension of the city’s popular trail system, part of the 2010 Master Trails Plan calling for about 10 construction projects offering more than 40 miles of trails winding around the city.

Like the trail’s two existing sections, much of the proposed stretches would wind along the Arroyo Colorado.

“What we want to do is create a network that connects all of our parks together,” parks Director Javier Mendez said. “Little by little, we’re trying to do that.”

But the trail system is also connecting the city’s neighborhoods, schools and businesses.

Mayor Chris Boswell calls the expanding trail system “a great quality-of-life program” fitting in with his Mayor’s Wellness Center initiative for a healthier Harlingen.

The project to extend the trail from Dixieland to McKelvey parks would become the latest stretch since the city opened a 4.1-mile trail running from Hugh Ramsey Nature Park to Texas State Technical College in November 2015.

That trail connects neighborhoods and schools, offering a safe bicycle route to TSTC.

The stretch also winds across Hugh Ramsey Nature Park, giving birders and nature buffs a scenic route along part of the World Birding Center.

It all started in 2000 when the city built its original 2.7-mile Hike and Bike Trail running from McKelvey Park to Interstate 69 near Arroyo Park.

Next, the city plans to seek grant funding to build a 3.9-mile trail connecting Dixieland to Hugh Ramsey Nature Park, Mendez said.

As part of the city’s overall program, officials plan a $700,000, 1-mile project connecting the original 2.7-mile trail with the new 4.1-mile section linking Hugh Ramsey Park with TSTC.