Big Changes Could Be Coming To Chaparral Trail In $6.7 Million Overhaul

Farmersville’s Chaparral Trail could be in line for one of its biggest upgrades yet, with city officials discussing a roughly $6.7 million TxDOT-backed project that would widen the trail, improve road crossings and rebuild several bridges.

The project would expand the trail from 8 feet to 10 feet wide along the affected section and add another surface layer over the trail. "It’s going to widen the trail out from an 8 foot to a 10 foot walking section," the city’s engineering consultant told City Council.

Crossings and bridges are also part of the plan. "It’s going to have signage at all the crossings and it’s also going to redo several bridges in that pathway," council was told. The bridges would also have to accommodate the wider 10-foot trail section.

Officials described the total project at about $6.7 million, with Farmersville responsible for a 20% local match. During the discussion, the city’s portion was placed at roughly $1.28 million.

The project is not at the construction stage yet. Farmersville previously authorized its portion of the agreement, but officials said they were still waiting for movement from TxDOT. "We have not had any feedback from TxDOT on their side of the thing," council was told.

That could change quickly once the state process advances. Officials cautioned that the project "is probably going to be kicking off maybe before we know it," as the city continues working through the remaining agreement and funding steps.

The TxDOT project is separate from another round of Chaparral Trail improvements being considered with remaining Texas Parks and Wildlife grant money. City officials said roughly $100,000 remains from that grant and could instead be used for one or two shaded rest areas with benches and possibly water access.

Officials said they had originally considered using that money for crossing signs, but changed direction after realizing the larger TxDOT project would already cover that work. "We’re going to be essentially kind of spending money just to do it again with TxDOT," council was told.

The rest-area concept could include shaded seating along portions of the trail where there currently are few places to stop. "There’s very little of that actually on the trail once you actually get pretty far outside of town," officials said.

One resident also urged the city to think beyond the physical improvements and market the trail as a regional destination. "Chaparral Trail is a great opportunity for Farmersville to create something new for the Dallas area," the resident told council, arguing that more visitors could also benefit downtown restaurants and businesses.

The city currently maintains five miles of the Chaparral Trail, including about 2.5 miles of paved trail and 2.5 miles of decomposed granite surface. The trail is part of the larger Northeast Texas Trail system extending toward Paris and New Boston.

For the larger TxDOT project, Farmersville is now waiting for the next step from the state before the work can move closer to construction.