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Hard work, determination fuel Rails to Trails
Staff Report
Published November 2, 2009
It has been a long time since the Rails to Trails project was first proposed by a handful of people who realized the possibilities and importance it would be to North and Northeast Texas.
Along the way, much controversy swirled around the proposal.
Some county governments voted against it, some landowners claimed their rights were being violated and some just viewed the proposed project as a boondoggle.
But those who saw its potential to the economy and prestige to the state of Texas kept on working and pushing the idea.
There were many applications for grants that could have been used to fund portions of the 130-mile rail corridor trails project.
Those grants fell through because of a challenge from some landowners along the way.
But the backers of the idea just kept on working and pushing to get some signs of progress.
Landowners filed a lawsuit challenging the Rails to Trails project.
They were awarded more than $1.3 million for the lands that the train tracks took.
But it was also a win for the Rails to Trails backers.
They just kept right on working and pushing.
Now, nothing stood in their way.
Getting grants looked much better than ever before.
The Rails to Trails project is still on the move, with new backing from county governments and new applications in for grants to build the 130-mile project that would open the trail to hikers, bikers, horse riders and others for fun and safety.
The trail could be used by students looking for a safe route to schools.
But more than that, it could bring a much needed shot in the economic arm of all those areas the trail will pass through.
The Rails to Trails project is a good thing for almost everyone.
It is a good thing the backers just kept on working and pushing.
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