Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Greenbelt Equestrian Trail Update

Saturday, 09 July 2011 09:14

Equestrian Trail Stakeholders,

First, I want to thank all of you for your continuing comments, suggestions, and responses since our last communications concerning the Greenbelt equestrian trails. Great progress has been made since the meeting last month at Lantana Lodge and I am excited to update you on that progress in this email.

For the past month Park staff and I have been working hard to address the complexity of issues concerning the equestrian trails in their entirety. We have attended numerous meetings and corresponded with many different stakeholders, private landowners, organizations, and agencies. All of these communications and feedback are helping us to identify and achieve short term and long term planning goals for the equestrian trails. There are many different objectives and accomplishments that will need to be met in order to meet our goals including trail sustainability, trail integrity, continuous trails, and maintaining the balance between nature and recreation.

Park staff has been working on reopening the southern portion of the equestrian trail from HWY 428 to HWY 380. Over 200+ Park Ranger hours have been spent in the past month reclaiming that portion of the trail. We plan on having this southern section open by July 18th (barring any unforeseen /uncontrollable circumstances). Greenbelt Manager Patrick Schutz will be sending notification via email when that opening does indeed occur.

I am pleased to announce that we plan to keep the equestrian trail on the east side of the river between HWY 455 and HWY 428. Tentatively, we are planning on having an “up and back” trail from HWY428 heading north and HWY 455 heading south to approximately where the impassable area is located. As you are all aware, this seems to be our most recommended, suggested, and best option until we have created a more permanent fix for the eroded areas. Work will begin on reclaiming this portion of the trail in late July.

Our long term goal is still to have a continuous trail from HWY 380 to Lost Lake; therefore, I have been in contact with several private land owners and interested stakeholders seeking a viable and sustainable solution on the large impassable/eroded area. I am happy to report that progress is being made on some solutions to this issue. Those solutions will come at a significant cost and we will no doubt need everyone’s assistance in those endeavors. We will continue to keep you posted as this issue progresses and opportunities to assist arise.

Finally, Patrick and I have been in communication with many interested individuals on the formation of an “Equestrian Advisory Committee.” The Committee will work closely with Park Staff and various trail advocacy groups and individuals to assist with recommendations, provide assistance, and enhance communications on trail needs at the parks. An overwhelming number of qualified and diverse individuals have inquired about being a part of this committee. After getting feedback from many of you, I have narrowed the names down to a core group of six that will serve on the initial committee. We expect that this committee may form further groups to identify and accomplish goals, trail enhancements, and participation in various beneficial trail projects, such as the eroded area mentioned above.

Once again, I thank all of you for your support, passion, and patience during the past month. I encourage all of you to continue to provide feedback and recommendations to Patrick Schutz and I want all of you to know that we continue to place high prioritization on the reopening and sustainability of the Greenbelt equestrian trails.

Thank you,

Chris True
Park Superintendent
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Ray Roberts Lake State Park Complex

Equestrian Meeting Follow-Up From Ray Roberts Lake State Park Complex

Wednesday, 15 June 2011 09:13

All,

On behalf of the Ray Roberts Lake State Park Complex, we would like to thank all of you for attending our public meeting this past Thursday, as well as the many emails we have received. The overwhelming passion and support for State Parks and it’s trail ways was ever so present amongst the organizations, associations, private citizens, and private landowners that were in attendance that evening. Many different issues concerning the equestrian trails were discussed, but the multiple questions, recommendations, and comments provided potential solutions and valuable feedback. As discussed during the meeting, one of our main goals is to ensure sustainability of our trails for future generations. Your assistance and feedback is essential for us to continue to meet our stakeholders goals whether they are short term or long term.

Since the meeting, many of you have inquired about volunteer opportunities and donations towards the park’s equestrian trails. As another suggestion made during the meeting, we agree that the best way to continue this collaboration with multiple entities is to form an “Equestrian Trail Advisory Committee.” This committee would consist of 6-10 equestrian representatives that could continue to update all of you on certain trail issues/concerns on a more regular basis, help provide us with your opinions/solutions, and organize volunteer events to address equestrian issues (i.e. erosion concerns, trail integrity concerns, trail way clean-ups, etc.). If any of you feel this committee is something you would be interested in forming, please send me an email.

Once again, we thank you for the feedback and support that you have provided to Texas State Parks!! We have no doubt that many great accomplishments can and will be made in the many years to come. If there is anyone that you think would be interested in volunteering for this cause or any other, please have them send me an email.

Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you on the trails!
--
Patrick Schutz
Complex Resource Specialist/Greenbelt Manager
Ray Roberts Lake State Park