REGION 4

Counties include: Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Grayson,
Kaufman, Rockwall, and Tarrant.

A director is needed for this region, if you are interested, please contact Debby Alley

Current Regional News!

Ray Roberts Lake - Region 4

Equestrian Trail Stakeholders

First, I want to thank all of you for your continuing comments, suggestions, and responses since our last communications concerning the Greenbelt equestrian trails. Great progress has been made since the meeting last month at Lantana Lodge and I am excited to update you on that progress in this email.

For the past month Park staff and I have been working hard to address the complexity of issues concerning the equestrian trails in their entirety. We have attended numerous meetings and corresponded with many different stakeholders, private landowners, organizations, and agencies. All of these communications and feedback are helping us to identify and achieve short term and long term planning goals for the equestrian trails. There are many different objectives and accomplishments that will need to be met in order to meet our goals including trail sustainability, trail integrity, continuous trails, and maintaining the balance between nature and recreation.

Park staff has been working on reopening the southern portion of the equestrian trail from HWY 428 to HWY 380. Over 200+ Park Ranger hours have been spent in the past month reclaiming that portion of the trail. We plan on having this southern section open by July 18th (barring any unforeseen /uncontrollable circumstances). Greenbelt Manager Patrick Schutz will be sending notification via email when that opening does indeed occur.

I am pleased to announce that we plan to keep the equestrian trail on the east side of the river between HWY 455 and HWY 428. Tentatively, we are planning on having an “up and back” trail from HWY428 heading north and HWY 455 heading south to approximately where the impassable area is located. As you are all aware, this seems to be our most recommended, suggested, and best option until we have created a more permanent fix for the eroded areas. Work will begin on reclaiming this portion of the trail in late July.

Our long term goal is still to have a continuous trail from HWY 380 to Lost Lake; therefore, I have been in contact with several private land owners and interested stakeholders seeking a viable and sustainable solution on the large impassable/eroded area. I am happy to report that progress is being made on some solutions to this issue. Those solutions will come at a significant cost and we will no doubt need everyone’s assistance in those endeavors. We will continue to keep you posted as this issue progresses and opportunities to assist arise.

Finally, Patrick and I have been in communication with many interested individuals on the formation of an “Equestrian Advisory Committee.” The Committee will work closely with Park Staff and various trail advocacy groups and individuals to assist with recommendations, provide assistance, and enhance communications on trail needs at the parks. An overwhelming number of qualified and diverse individuals have inquired about being a part of this committee. After getting feedback from many of you, I have narrowed the names down to a core group of six that will serve on the initial committee. We expect that this committee may form further groups to identify and accomplish goals, trail enhancements, and participation in various beneficial trail projects, such as the eroded area mentioned above.

Once again, I thank all of you for your support, passion, and patience during the past month. I encourage all of you to continue to provide feedback and recommendations to Patrick Schutz and I want all of you to know that we continue to place high prioritization on the reopening and sustainability of the Greenbelt equestrian trails.

Thank you,

Chris True, Park Superintendent

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Ray Roberts Lake State Park Complex

I am pleased to announce the reopening of the Greenbelt Equestrian trail from HWY 428 to HWY 380. The trail reopening was accomplished with the hard work and dedication of park staff totaling 435 hours in the past month.

We will begin work on the northern section “up and back” trail very soon. Many volunteer opportunities will become available in the near future with this project. Word of mouth has been our greatest asset in communicating thus far so keep it up! Again, please send any information/inquiries to patrick.schutz@tpwd.state.tx.us.

I look forward to seeing all of you at the Scenic Overlook soon!!

Patrick Schutz

Complex Resource Specialist/Greenbelt Manager

Ray Roberts Lake State Park, Pilot Point, TX 76258, ph (940) 686-2148 ext. 254