SMRF was notified last week that we were awarded almost $200,000 to build a natural surface trail from Dunbar Park off MLK, to the intersection of Wonder World and Hunter Rd. This means that neighborhood residents will be able to walk to the Purgatory Natural area and area schools or shops without having to cross that huge and dangerous intersection. (There is an existing sidewalk trail under Hunter Road that will connect.to this natural trail, and Wonder World is raised nearby so that a trail can be built under it.) The two partners that truly make this trail project possible are the City of San Marcos, who will either own the land or arrange trail easements, and of course the intrepid trail crew of the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance who have the expertise and tools to design the trail and train SMRF volunteers to also help them build it. It will take about a year to get the paperwork done, to start on the project, and meanwhile the City is designing the first phase of a flood mitigation project along Purgatory Creek from Dunbar toward the river. Stay tuned for info on how you personally can help build the trail in 2021. Thank you to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for this almost $200,000 which will come in very handy for supplies and other expenses! The recreational trails grants totalled $3.71 million this year and come from federal funds, from a small portion of gasoline taxes for off road motorcycles and four-wheelers. Both motorized and non-motorized trails benefit from these grants across the U.S.
Find out about other grants awarded at: TXP&W Grants