Located in Central Texas, counties include: Bell, Bosque, Comanche, Coryell, Eastland, Ellis, Erath, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Hood, Johnson, Leon, Limestone, McLennan, Milam, Navarro, Robertson, Somervell, Williamson.

Equestrain Trails

Director: T. R. Gage

361 HCR 2418 • Hillsboro, TX. 76645  trsgage@gmail.com • 254-337-0002

Current Regional News!

The annual meeting was held in Waco. The attendance was about average for the last few years. We had a very informative program on trailer laws brought to us by two highway patrolmen. They gave short talks and answered questions. If they didnt know the answer for memory they had the manuel of all the laws and they would look up the answer. After they were finished we were treated to a very good meal(thanks Vernon & Kathy). Gail Conway & Sara McMillan are keeping events going at their respective lakes and Robin Howze is taking over Bardwell lake. Larry & Penny have set up 2 work days at McCowan park at Lake Whitney. They will be puttin the dates in and would appresciate all the help possible. To make these workdays more fun they are planning on working half day & rideng half day.

Lake Proctor Workday

There was a workday at Lake Proctor on Saturday, November 5th. Eight people showed up to help, and we made several improvements to the park. One part of the trail was rerouted because of erosion, and several washed-out areas were repaired. Cliff Conway mowed the trails and part of the campground. Paul Murphy & Bonnie Gallatin brought a skid-steer loader that was able to move a huge tree that had fallen & blocked the north end of the trail, as well as filling in several eroded areas. We rode many of the trails during the weekend, and they are in great shape. The trails are available to ride at any time, and the campground with 4 hookups can be used for overnight camping. The only fee is $10 per night for electricity. Donations to the Friends of Lake Proctor fund are appreciated. If you wish, you can donate through TETRA to get the tax deduction. For access to the trails you can contact Conway Veterinary Clinic at the 325-356-3355.

REYNOLDS CREEK EQUESTRIAN PARK

2885 Speegleville Rd N., Waco, Texas

OPENED - JUNE 15, 2011

Reynold’s Creek Park is finally complete, yes!! TETRA members who have worked many hours on this project are feeling very proud to show off all their hard work.

The park includes 10 sites with water and electricity and 2 horse pens at each site. Also has a pavilion with water and electricity, surrounded by beautiful oak trees and picnic sitting for up to 70 people. Included at the park are a wash station and water trough for your animals and a compost pile for waste.

Reynold’s Creek Park is connected to the existing Lacy Point Trail system by a concrete low water crossing, about a quarter mile from the trail head. This entrance allows for a quicker trip to the shaded trails for great summer riding. This entrance is accessible by wagons.

The entrance has more secure parking behind the gate. The Corp of Engineers Park offers day use for $4 or unlimited day use for an annual pass of $30, good from date of purchase for a year. Senior citizen discounts may be obtained online. Camping is $20/night /site. And the entire park including all ten sites and amenities for $200/ night is available.

For reservations go to recreation.gov, Waco Lake/ Reynolds Creek Equestrian park

Watch for information regarding our Grand Opening Trail Ride – September 23-25, 2011

Sara McMillan- project director

This is the new water crossing that was just finished April 9, 2011 by Vernon Leuschner, Matt Jordon, Blanfard Perry and Sylvia Perry.

It allows wagons, hikers,and bikers to get to the trails of Lacy Point. without getting their feet wet!

   

Lake Proctor Report - Gail Conway, DVM

The trails at Lake Proctor are in good shape. We have four R.V. hookups and a small pavilion with electric plugs and lights. There are several pens, and horse water is available in several places. Riders can park at the day use area outside of the locked gate and ride through the horse gate, or they can contact me at 325-356-3355 for the gate combination. The Comanche County Sheriff’s Posse will host a trail ride at Lake Proctor on March 19th and everyone is invited. Anyone who wants to stay for the weekend is welcome to do that. If the weather is bad, call me before hauling. The Corps of Engineers has closed the upper parts of the trail to allow hog hunting until March 31st, but we have a lot of trails available to ride. Also you can look up information and maps at a couple of places, we do have a facebook page at "Friends of Lake Proctor Riding Trails," and a page on our website - http://www.conwayvet.com/TrailsatHighPointPark.html.

Bardwell Trail Update

Still nothing new from the COE. We did have a meeting and they are willing to move forward. However, it keeps raining and we are unable to get in and look around. For Facebook fans Bardwell Trails can now be visited on Facebook at Lake Bardwell Multi use trails. We did put together a small grant and submitted it to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to help offset the costs of some flood damage to the trails. We will know later this summer if Bardwell will receive any funding.

We rode at McCowan Valley at Lake Whitney during Memorial Day Weekend. Those trails are in need of some TLC. If there is a work day scheduled please let us know. Many of the wooded trails need a trimming and fallen trees, branches and other debris need to be pushed off the trails.

Happy Trails from Jack and Kathy Duke, Region 8

LACY POINT TRAILS DESIGNATED AS NATIONAL RECREATIONAL TRAILS

Recently TETRA / Waco Bicycle Club trail system, was honored to be designated one of two inductees to the National Recreational Trail System in Texas for 2010.

Lacy Point Nature Trail is a multi-use trail located on the west shore of Waco Lake. This is the only public interpretive trail in the region to offer signed access to horse riders, cyclists, bank fisherman and hikers between Fort Worth and Georgetown, Texas, on the busy I-35 corridor. The 19 miles of trail feature interpretive trail markers, directional maps at junctions, and picnic table access along the shoreline. Much of the trail is in the bottomland hardwood area ( a greatly reduced ecosystem in Texas) with its year-round springs, old growth Eastern Red Cedar, and much –needed shade from summer heat.

The National Trail System Act of 1968 authorized creation of a national trail system comprised of National Recreational Trails, National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails. While National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails may only be designated by an act of Congress, National Recreational Trails may be designated by the Secretary of the interior or the Secretary of Agriculture to recognize exemplary trails of local and regional significance in response to an application from the trail’s managing agency or organization. Through designation, these trails are recognized as part of America’s national system of trails.

For more information on the National Recreational Trail program please visit their website at www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationaltrails

Please visit the website for Lacy Point Trails:

http://www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/trailNRT/Lacy-Point-Trail-TX.html

Sara McMillan- Director-TETRA Lacy Point / Reynolds Creek Project

Bardwell Trail Update - Trails are closed until we can get them fi xed. Trying to get info together in hopes of getting a grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife to repair the fl ood damage. Several people have asked to let them know when the trails will be opened so they can ride. However, only a couple of people have asked how they can help to get the trails ready to ride. We have planned for the last 2 weeks to meet with the Corps of Engineers to inspect the trails but, both weeks it has rained to the point of being too muddy to effectively get around. Will try to reschedule as soon as it dries up enough so we can get to the damaged areas. Anyone interested in helping please email us at jkduke@airmail.net. For more info on the Bardwell Trails go to: http://bardwell.trails.tripod.com/. Happy Trails! Jack and Kathy Duke, TETRA Region 8.

Pictures of the flood damage from the recent heavy rains. The Red Trail has a big chasm eroded into the center of it. This will have to be fixed before the trails can be opened again.

 

LACY POINT BALD EAGLES

  The nesting bald eagles at Lacy Point have been raising their new juvenile as expecting. The young bird is preparing to fly by leaping up in the air over the nest. For months, the eagles have been nurturing their baby and preparing it to venture out into the world on it's on. Two Waco photographers, Spencer Moore and Bryan Boyd, have spent several afternoons a week hiking the trails to sit for hours to get hundreds of pictures in an attempt to document the event. You may view 34  outstanding pictures online at wacotrib.com.

  This is the first pair of eagles successful in raising a juvenile on Waco Lake. Migrating eagles have wintered at Lake Waco for years, but nesting is a  new phenomenon, said Eric Haskell, a US Army Corp of Engineers park ranger at Lake Waco.

  The eagles that Boyd and Moore are documenting began their nest last September. The female laid the egg in mid-March and hatched it around April 22. The juvenile has yet to fledge, or fly from the nest. It's nearly full-size, though its head won't turn white for another few years. Once  eagles successfully raise their young in an area, they will return to nest year after year, which means that Lake Waco will have a permanent eagle presence, Haskell said.

  Brent Ortego, wildlife biologist for Parks and Wildlife. Said the young eagle probably will head north late this summer and return this fall. Within a few years, his parents will drive him to find his own territory.

  The eagles that Boyd and Moore have been documenting are at Lacy Point, off McLaughlin road that is popular with equestrians. It is a two mile ride to the nest, which can be see off Easy Pass trail, so bring your binoculars for a closer view. The Corp has blocked part of the trail to keep the public from getting too close, but Haskell said the barricades soon will be removed. Excepts taken from the Waco Tribune Herald, June 16, 2009.                 Sara McMillan- Waco Lake Lacy Point project director

 

LACY POINT TO GET CAMPGROUND

As you know Lacy Point Trails, on Waco Lake-Waco, Texas have been a project TETRA began along with the Waco Bicycle Club on September 1, 2006.

We have worked hard, over 1000 hours to be exact, building single track trails and cleaning up existing roads. We have endured many obstacles like floods and windstorms with repeated downed trees. TETRA has also held two benefit trail rides for the park and has a third coming up in May (see flyer in this issue). We are happy to announce that our proposal for the equestrian campground has been approved, to be built at the adjoining Reynolds Creek Park. I would like to thank all our members who have helped with the trails and those who have helped support our campground proposal.

I would like to recognize two of our members who have always been willing to work when I call and have worked with me and put in more hours than anyone else. They are Lyndol Rabbe and Wayne Pritchard. There efforts, along with Rusty Hansgen of the Bike Club have been instrumental in keeping this project going. We are currently working to apply for a Recreational Grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife, which will support our campground construction. If you like to ride at Lacy Point, remember the hard work that has taken place there and volunteer when you can, support our trail ride and please, please don’t litter. As you see your mother doesn’t work there.

Sara McMillan-Director, Lacy Point

Corps of Engineers Meeting Held

TETRA Region 8 and other equestrians from the Central Texas area, from as far as Georgetown, met with Waco Lake Corps of Engineers at an open meeting to discuss the possibility of putting in electrical hookups for an equestrian campsite, Tuesday night, February 17. About 50 equestrians came to the meeting to express their affirmation of this project. TETRA will be completely responsible for building the parking pad and putting in the campsites at Reynold’s Creek Park, just across the creek from the equestrian trails at Lacy Point. This will give the equestrians a safe and secure place to park their trailers overnight or even during the day, if they desire to do so. The opening by the boat ramp at Lacy Point itself, will still be open for day use for anyone that does not want to pay a fee to be behind the gates at Reynold’s Creek Park.

There was opposition from a group of fishermen stating the equestrians would be polluting the lake with their animals and the trails would be taking away from the wildlife at Lacy Point. Since TETRA began the project at Lacy Point, a pair of Bald Eagles are now nesting and hopefully will be raising young within the next few months, a bobcat was seen on the trail and stopped to have his picture taken and a mountain lion was seen in the Lacy Point Area, not to mention dozens of deer. I don’t think the horses have made the wildlife leave this area.

The equestrians had their facts in hand and explained why and what the equestrian area would do for the economy of Waco, and how putting a short trail in to the Lacy Point trails would increase the use of the trails for hikers as well as bikers staying at Reynold’s Creek Park. After receiving correct information about what TETRA members intended to do, the fishermen backed down and all left with a good understanding and a good conscience about what will be done.

TETRA Region 8 has a very good relationship with the Waco Bicycle Club, who has worked side by side with TETRA volunteers on the trails at Lacy Point. With both the equestrians and the bikers, the fishermen really didn’t have much of an argument after all was said and done.

Our next phase will be to write a grant to obtain money for the parking pad, water and electrical hookups for the equestrian campsites. It is anticipated it will take approximately 2 years to complete this project, including writing the grant and hopefully getting it!! If TETRA doesn’t get this grant, it may take longer to come up with the money for the project.

Ham Creek Will Open Soon
Hamm Creek, (which many over the years called “Ham’s Creek”), was once a favorite riding area for equestrians all over the area from Fort Worth to Hillsboro to Stephenville. The Government closed it to the public about twenty years ago and all the trails that once existed had become wilderness. That is, until a little band of volunteers approached it with chain saws roaring, limb loppers snapping, and machetes slashing in the hands of equestrians with a common goal. Only a small portion of the terrain will lend itself to wagons because of the steep slopes, so those trails will be in the final phases. (All the flat land in the area is on private property.) The first phase is the creation of a main trail from the park going East toward Kimbell Bridge, (but not quite all the way).

The trails are a part of the larger project that consists primarily of regular camping, including water, electricity, picnic facilities, restrooms, and some pavilions. Yet to be completed is an area that will include 10 full service equestrian campsites with poles for picket lines and a day rider area. When completed, the park will be managed and maintained by Johnson County. The County had asked the Mounted Search and Rescue unit from Shepherd’s Valley Cowboy Church (Egan, TX) to build the trails. (It is important to note that this unit includes many TETRA members; some of which are Charter Members.)
The group has been blessed with volunteers. The first work day (February 7th) they had twenty workers and on February 21st, twenty-two showed up. Work groups cannot be much larger than this because of the lack of roads or pathways to get to other areas for clearing. (They are cutting the ONLY means to get there because paths/roads don’t exist yet.) As mentioned, the slopes are so steep, one cannot use a tractor.

If interested in participating in this great undertaking, please contact Larry Culp at (817)781-6772. If coming, bring cutting tools, wear good boots, (and snake protection), and be prepared to do a lot of walking.