Texas A&M University-Texarkana Hosts Press Conference to Announce Awarding of Wilderness Trails Grant

TEXARKANA, TX. June 5, 2014 – A press conference was held today on the campus of Texas A&M University-Texarkana to announce a collaborative effort resulting in the awarding of a $199,500 Wilderness Trails Grant from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. A matching $50,000 grant will be received from Partnership for the Pathway to be used to enhance a section of walking trail system adjacent to Bringle Lake. A&M-Texarkana President Dr. Emily Cutrer presided over the press conference taking time to applaud representatives from the university, City of Texarkana, Texas and Partnership for the Pathway for working together to achieve the award. “The university’s Strategic Plan includes a component of Community Engagement and Leadership,” said Dr. Cutrer. “Bringing key stakeholders together to apply for grant funding for this project aligns beautifully with our strategic objectives.” Others who spoke during the press conference included Dr. Bill McHenry, dean of graduate studies and research at A&M-Texarkana, who chaired the Trails Grant Committee. Joe Saul-Sehy (pronounced see high), board president of Partnership for the Pathway, and Bob Bruggeman, mayor of Texarkana, Texas.

The entire trail system that stretches along Bringle Lake on the east side and the west side of the lake is approximately seven miles. The grant will cover approximately 2.5 miles of upgrades to the existing walking trail surface, from the newly constructed Bringle Lake East Park to the Bringle Lake dam. Other proposed amenities along the trail route include erecting a kiosk that will provide information about current environmental issues, as well as signage spaced every 1/10 of a mile that will educate people about  plants, animals and the environment. Based on a current timeline, improvements to the trail will begin this fall.