New multi-use hiking and biking trails for Big Spring State Park began construction on March 1, 2019 thanks to the West Texas Trail Alliance.  the four phase project was approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife and planning began in August 2018.  

Stephanie Ledford, West Texas Trails Secretary, advised that at the end of phase one, there would be a minimum of five miles of completed trail.  Ledford estimated that the total project, which will be completed by Bike Park Solutions out of Angel Fire, New Mexico, would cost $75,000.00 to $85,000.00.  So far, the West Texas Trail Alliance has been ale to raise over $45,000.00 from donations, grants, and fundraisers, but they still need donations to help them reach their goal.  

“Our goal is to establish a trail professionally designed and built by an accredited trail building company,” states the mission statement on WTTA’s website. “This trail will be utilized for mountain biking, all-road cycling, hiking and trail running within the Big Spring State Park for recreational use.”

The WTTA, in partnership with the non-profit ViM Racing, raised $50,000 to complete phase one of the project, said Ledford. Now, the group is hoping to raise an additional $30,000 to $40,000 to start construction on phases two and three, she said. The first two trails will be for bikers at the beginner and intermediate levels, Ledford said, while phases two and three will include additional trails for those at a more advanced level.  In total, the alliance plans to add 7.5 to 10 miles of biking trails, she said.  Each additional 1.5 miles of trails will cost about $10,000 to complete.

Ledford said she believes adding the trails will benefit the community, and the “economic impact will be big.”  The WTTA is planning an opening event for when the first phase of the project is finished in May.  Ledford also advised that Bike Park solutions would be working construction of the multi-use trails for sixty consecutive days and anyone volunteering to help with the construction work would be appreciated as it help push construction into phase two.

To make a monetary donation or volunteer to work, visit their website, fundtxtrails.org.