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Van Deaver Looks to Connect NE Texas Trail to State Park System

NETT Coalition

Texas House Rep. Gary Van Deaver is looking for more backup at the state level to get the Northeast Texas Trail integrated into the state parks system. 

The Northeast Texas Trail is a 130-mile network of hiking, riding, and biking trails that cuts through most of the Republican lawmaker’s District, between Paris and Arkansas. House Resolution 24 is calling for an interim study to see how easy it is to weave the 7-county trail system into the state parks of Northeast and Deep East Texas.

The Northeast Texas Trail has been in the works in earnest since 2012. But in the more than six years since construction began, it’s made little headway catching on. Van Deaver says an integrated trail is a low-cost boon to the economies of the 19, mostly rural and poor cities the trail connects. Van Deaver filed the resolution earlier this month for possible discussion in the state Legislature when it reconvenes in January.

Scott Morgan has been an award-winning journalist since 2001. His work has appeared in several newspapers and magazines as well as online. He has also been an editor, freelancer, speaker, writing teacher, author, and podcaster.