The official name for a network of trails, which has been a work in progress for the last two years, is expected to be unveiled in the next 30 days, a Brownsville city commissioner says.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley Active Transportation and Tourism Plan aims to create “a 428-mile trail network that will link the rich natural, cultural and historical resources” the Cameron County area is known for, according to railstotrails.org.
Rose Gowen, at-large commissioner “B” on the Brownsville City Commission, said the several cities and organizations working on the project are close to choosing the final name for the LRGV Active Plan.
“We’re nearing that endpoint,” Gowen said. “[We] are working with the advertising agency to narrow down the specific wording of the name and we are getting very close. I would expect a final name in the next 30 days.”
Several surveys were conducted to get input from the community on what name residents would prefer.
Gowen said several hundred people answered the first surveys, which were focused on broader questions that helped to shape the last version of the survey.
“It began very broadly and then it was more and more focused,” she said. “We had in-person focus group meetings with over 200 people from the 11 cities. The surveys were answered the first time by several hundred. I think it was in the range of 500, both on the American side and from Mexico.”
Over 230 responses were received for the last version of the survey, which closed last week, Gowen said.
The surveys were promoted by the project sponsors and by representatives from cycling groups in Matamoros.
The LRGV Active Plan will be comprised of on-street routes for bicycles, trails for pedestrians and bicycles, as well as paddling trails.
A trail that will link to the city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, is also included in the LRGV Active Plan, according to railstotrails.org.
Development of the project will start with six catalyst projects that will serve to “connect existing trails and recreational resources throughout the area,” according to railstotrails.org.
The catalyst projects are the Arroyo-Resaca Hike and Bike Segment, Bahia Grande Trail Segment, Battlefield Extension Trail Segment, South Padre Island Trail Segment, Arroyo Colorado Paddling Trail Segment, Laguna Madre (U.S. Bicycle Route) Segment and Queen Isabella Causeway Project.
The estimated total construction cost of the six projects is $36.4 million and they are expected to generate $14 million in labor income through the creation of 453 jobs during the construction phase. In addition, the projects are anticipated to generate $5.3 million in local, state and federal taxes, according to the website.
The organizations sponsoring the project are The Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation and the University of Texas School of Public Health. The cities of Brownsville, Harlingen, Combes, Los Fresnos, Rio Hondo, Los Indios, Port Isabel, San Benito, South Padre Island, and the towns of Rancho Viejo and Laguna Vista are also working on the project with the support of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is “a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people,” according to its website.
Gowen said the LRGV Active Plan has three main goals.
“One was to bring recreational opportunities … to all of our 11 cities in Cameron County so that people could get out and, you know, take a jog, take a walk, ride a bike, in a more easy and accessible way,” she said. “The second goal was to, in doing the 428-mile [trail network], we would then become a destination for active tourists. … The third … [goal] was, in creating that destination for active tourists, that we would then drive the development of small business growth.”
Gowen said a logo for the LRGV Active Plan will be designed after the official name is decided.
She said it is difficult to get several cities to agree on something, especially because these cities have to put money into the project.
“This Active Plan is a wonderful model where 11 cities are working together and are investing small amounts of money towards this goal,” Gowen said. “I think that one of the best pieces that would come out of the plan is that ability of 11 cities in Cameron County to work together for a common goal.”
For more information about the LRGV Active Plan, visit www.railstotrails.org/our-work/trailnation/lower-rio-grande-valley-active-plan/.
–UTRGV Radio News Director Hannah Lopez contributed to this report.
