Central Texas Town Approves New Trail Network

The town of Kyle, Texas has approved the development of a 10.5-mile trail network, reports Candy Rodriguez. "Mayor Travis Mitchell said the council approval of the trail master plan is just the start and the plan is a work in progress" as the city works to accommodate new residents with new greenways and park space and provide new routes for bicyclists. "Funding for the trail could come from several revenue avenues such as developers, grants, bonds, and more, according to the presentation brought before council."

"[T]he master plan encompasses several trail projects including one that would help with the development of a larger trail system called the Great Springs Project … a 100-mile trail that would run from Barton Springs in Austin through Buda, Kyle, San Marcos, New Braunfels and all the way to San Antonio." According to its website, the Great Springs Projects is "working to create a greenway of contiguous protected lands between Austin and San Antonio over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone." 

The Great Springs Trail Economic Benefits Report claims that the project could create an "estimated annual benefit of $55,290,000" through "economic, health, environmental, and transportation cost savings as well as climate change" benefits in the region.