Lake Wichita group committed to installation of overwater trail

Having a portion of the Wichita Falls Circle Trail extend over the water remains a priority for the Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee.

City Engineer Davis Powell discussed the status Tuesday of various shoreline projects at the lake.

He added that the Texas Department of Transportation will have another round of grants available for transportation alternative programs (TAP grants).

The city plans to apply for a TAP grant in 2019 for a portion of the Circle Trail from Larry Marina through to Barnett.

TAP grants tend to be partial grants that require some local match funds. The city has benefited from TAP grants for several footpath projects including several sections of the Circle Trail.

A trail section from Larry’s toward Lake Wichita Park is already funded and in the design process.

Powell said there are some TxDOT workshops in February and March that he plans to attend that explain a new process for applying for these grants.

During those workshops, he said he will also find out the ramifications of having this trail section along the Lake Wichita shore versus out over the water.

Powell said the main goal for the city, concerning the Circle Trail, is to get it completed within in the next few years.

LWRC member Steve Garner said since the committee’s beginning, they have supported the idea of a section of the trail over the water.

Having a unique feature like this would take Wichita Falls recreation to a whole new level, he claims, and is worth the extra expense.

A statement on the Lake Wichita revitalization website says: 

As a part of the Lake Wichita project the Circle Trail will be connected from Barnett Road to Lake Wichita Park. A segment of which will be taken out over the water and include wildlife viewing and fishing stations ultimately diversifying the utilization of the trail.

People could walk, bike and fish from the trail and enjoy great wildlife observation, Garner said.

One idea floated by the group is to have part of the overwater trail be high enough to allow boats to go underneath.

The expected cost of this section of trail following along the shoreline is about $2 million.

Having the trail extended over the water doubled the price tag to $4 million.

Powell fears that TxDOT may not approve grant funding for the overwater trail section because the reasoning for extending over the water is more aesthetic than functional.

Garner said the committee would hope to gather some funding from TxDOT then possibly add private funding donated by the public to make up the extra cost of the waterway trail.

Some other points made by city staff and LWRC members concerning the overwater path for this stretch of Circle Trail is the overwater option would not infringe on lakeside homeowners property; the overwater trail may require less maintenance; and the shoreline trail could be prone to flooding like other low-lying portions of Circle Trail.

Powell said the call for TxDOT proposals is in February and preliminary applications are due in April.

TxDOT TAP grant winners will be announced in October.

Powell said he would come back to the LWRC with some recommendations as to how they should proceed with this lake-related part of the Circle Trail.

At the January LWRC meeting, the group will receive a presentation from Kimley-Horn for three design concepts for the veterans memorial plaza. 

The committee said after they choose a design concept for the plaza they will ramp up efforts to secure donations for engraved memorial bricks and other funding efforts. 

For more information about the Lake Wichita Revitalization project, visit http://www.supportlakewichita.com/.