Northeast Texas Trail explores becoming Linear State Park
The Northeast Texas Trails Coalition and Texans for State Parks met in February to discuss a possible 130-mile-long linear state park for Northeast Texas.
The trail stretches from Farmersville through Paris and Clarksville and ends in New Boston. The long-term plan is for DFW’s Trinity Trail Network to one day connect to NETT at Farmersville.
On Jan. 30, 2024, NETT members voted to explore making the trail into a linear state park, similar to the Lake Mineral Wells Trailway just west of Fort Worth and the Caprock Canyon Trailway near Quitaque in West Texas.
The process to become a state park is a long one, however NETT has two big advantages. The land for the right-of-way has already been acquired and is in the seven organizations that make up the NETT coalition. Second, the communities along the length of the trail have shown great support for its completion as well as city and county officials.
So what are the next steps? A feasibility study and in the meantime, NETT President Earl Erickson has invited Brent Leisure director for Texas Parks and Wildlife to join him on a bike ride on the current NETT trail.
Photo: NTTE Facebook
I know that I may be sounding like a broken record, but I have to again speak up – as the slow rate of progress on the NETT is abominable. The years are flying by and yet, the progress is minimal, from the perspective of an outsider. I don’t think my position can be successfully refuted, given the conditions along many stretches of the NETT.
Let me sum it up:
1. Gov. Abbott – Get the head of TPWD in gear; git ‘er done, or else get someone else who CAN get it done.
2. What’s the congressman for the NETT area been doing to help??? How about Sen. Cornyn stepping up to the plate? I’m 83 years old, and I’d like to ride the NETT in my lifetime w/o putting up with a lot of trash, inconveniences and safety issues.