National Trail Day is coming up Saturday.
The observance, founded by the American Hiking Society, encourages Americans to enjoy the many national, state and local trails that are available.
Wichita Falls residents don’t have to go far to find a trail. The city’s Circle Trail encompasses much of the city, offering a wide concrete path for hiking and biking.
The Circle Trail is a project years in the making.
Retired Parks Director Jack Murphy came up with the idea, and the first section was built in Lucy Park in 1987, according to the city.
Since then, about 20 miles of trail have been completed, taking users across a wide variety of terrains from canyon and brush to manicured parks and along shoreline. Much of the trail system has been built through grants to the city.
Only two sections remain to be completed. Funding was acquired for a section at Lucy Park, and the city has applied for a grant to finish about a one-mile stretch at Lake Wichita.
The city says almost all of the trails are 10-foot-wide reinforced concrete.
“They can be used for walking, jogging, bicycling, and rollerblading. Nothing motorized is allowed except for official city vehicles,” the city website says.
Parks Director Kalee Robinson told City Council members in May that her department is working on an ordinance for e-bikes, battery-powered bicycles that have grown in popularity recently.
This year will mark the 33rd annual observance of National Trail Day.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: How to make tracks for National Trail Day in Wichita Falls
Reporting by Lynn Walker, Wichita Falls Times Record News / Wichita Falls Times Record News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
