Rail to trail
Georgetown Railroad pathway conversion could begin by late summer
DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN TEMPLE
The first step toward developing a regional hiking and biking system could start as early as this August, a Temple city official said this week.
Phase 1 of the 6.1 mile Georgetown Railroad Trail has already been funded, and the trail would follow a defunct track from a location near Raye-Allen Elementary School on 5th Street to South 31st Street, according to Jason Deckman, a senior planner for the city.
“The Georgetown Railroad was constructed during the early 1900s and trains ceased running the route around 2000,” Deckman said. “The city purchased the defunct railroad track with plans to create a rail-to-trail project.”
Phase 1 of the project has been funded through the Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization in the amount of $2 million. That entity is responsible for establishing a comprehensive transportation planning process for the greater area around Killeen and Temple, Deckman said.
Phase 2 of the project will start at South 31st Street and continue to an area just east of Interstate 35. Deckman said the trail could fork at the end of phase 2 with one fork connecting with Belton’s trail system and the other fork connecting with trails at Bend of the River Park and a future development being referred to as Beyond the Bend.
In phase 1, the existing rails and cross-ties will be removed and replaced with a 10-foot wide concrete trail. Park benches will be included at regular intervals to allow breaks for hikers and cyclists.
“We also are looking into signage along the trail that promotes Temple’s rail history,” Deckman said. “We also will have lighted crosswalks on 5th and 31st Street to make those busy roads safer to cross.”
“We are hoping to have a construction manager in place and get this started in August, but if the design part of the project is not ready, we will push it back,” he said. “We don’t want to force it — we want a good trail.”
Deckman said construction of the first phase of the rail-to-trail project will take up to a year.
Just off 5th Street, the Georgetown Railroad Trail will connect with the Friar’s Creek Trail that leads to Loop 363. Across 363, trails lead all the way to the Baylor Scott & White campus.
“At some point we will find a way to connect the trails over the loop, but that’s on down the line,” Deckman said.
Funding for phase 2 of the project has been applied for through the Texas Department of Transportation. That section of the trail includes the historic bridge that crosses the Leon River near I-35.
“That bridge will be a featured section of the trail,” Deckman said. “There will be an access point near the bridge near where the future trail could split. We’ve had conversations with Belton about a connection to their trail system. Some day, the trail could start at UMHB and go all the way to Temple.”
“This could definitely be a big stepping stone for a regional system,” he said. “The trail will have great benefits for Temple residents. We know people are using the trail as it is. It’s not a build-it-and-they-will-come situation. They are already here. We will be building something we know people will use and appreciate.”
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Chalk Ridge Falls Park to close March 14 for restroom upkeep
DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN TEMPLE
Central Texas hikers may have to find an alternate trail for a day of two this month — Chalk Ridge Falls Park will be closed temporarily for maintenance, a park official said today.
The popular hiking park at Stillhouse Hollow will close at 4 p.m. on March 14 for restroom maintenance, according to Ranger Verlon Baize. The park has pit toilets, and large machines are brought in to clean and maintain the facilities.
“We will have open pits during the maintenance, and we are closing for safety concerns,” Baize said. “The park will reopen at 8 a.m. on March 16.”
Maintenance will include moving supplies and equipment to service the restrooms within the park.
“Safety is our No. 1 priority,” he said.
According to Baize, the park is pretty quiet during fall and winter months.
“Once school lets out, it gets really busy,” he said. “It’s a popular park during the summer.”
The 2.5-mile out-and-back trail is considered to be an easy route, and it usually takes hikers about 51 minutes to complete, he said.
“This a is a very popular area for birding, hiking and running, so you likely will encounter other people while exploring the area,” Baize said. “The trail is open year round and it’s a beautiful place to visit. Dogs are welcome, but they must be on a leash.”
