Members of the Park & Recreation Board’s trails subcommittee reported they took a Nov. 4 field visit of roughly 20 trail segments and subsequently met with Alonzo from Public Works to align on priorities and timelines. The subcommittee said the meeting changed how it will approach prioritization: rather than immediately rank existing master-plan segments, Public Works encouraged the board to define why the trail network exists, what success looks like, and what the board is trying to accomplish.

One outcome of that guidance was a renewed look at alternatives to the existing east-west/north-south ‘spider web’ master plan. Public Works suggested the board also consider concentric-circle connections that create closer loops for residents who cannot or do not want to travel far from home. Subcommittee members said that approach could increase the number of immediate, usable walking loops in neighborhoods while still allowing longer connections to Town Center, the library and the sports park.

Public Works also emphasized the value of coordinating trail construction with scheduled road projects to reduce costs and ease easement acquisition. The subcommittee noted that some ‘trail’ designations on the master plan could be satisfied with enhanced sidewalks (for example, some sections on Roanoke could be enhanced sidewalk rather than a 12-foot trail), and that funding agency definitions (TxDOT grants often favor 12-foot trails) limit how the city can label work for grant eligibility.

Next steps: the subcommittee will prepare starter answers to Public Works’ three questions (why we’re here, what success looks like, what we want to accomplish) and circulate them to the full board before the December meeting. If the board agrees, staff and Public Works will refine the plan and later present a combined vision to council for guidance and possible funding alignment.