A walking trail in Arkansas City is about to get a little longer and smoother, and may even get some lights.
The Poplar Walking Trail, near the U.S. 77 bypass, is also being fixed to prevent flooding.
City employees are extending the track to a full mile in length and improving drainage for the oval-shaped path that walkers, joggers and bikers use on a regular basis.
Public Information Officer Andrew Lawson said the major part of the work involves building up the south end of the path, which will make the entire loop a full mile. Right now it is nine-tenths of a mile.
“That section always floods during heavy rainfall, so they’ll build it up and extend it to round out the path better,” he said.
Lawson said the cost to the city would be minimal because city employees are doing the work. The only real cost would be materials.
Assistant Public Works Director Mike Crandall said most of the materials being used are recycled items, which have been stockpiled from other projects. The city is also planning to install several pieces of outdoor fitness equipment along the route. The Ark City Middle School Kay Club was awarded a Be The Spark grant for $6,575in 2018.
The grant is intended to help to create locations within a community that will encourage teens to be more physically active.
Those funds will be used to purchase a fitness trail kit, which city workers will install at various points along the existing walkway.
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