City of Kilgore working to expand popular walking trail

KILGORE, Texas (KLTV) - Even though it’s hot outside people are still doing it: using the Kilgore Creekside Trail. People say getting out is a great distraction during the COVID-19 pandemic. And a new stretch of trail is in the works to help make that distraction last a little longer.

Haley Young, Bill Woodall and Josh Selleck have something in common besides living during a pandemic: they use the Kilgore Creekside Trail.

“You know every time I come out here I see a good mix of walkers and runners and bikers and older people and younger people. It’s never so many people where I feel like I’m too close, but I always see people for sure. I’ve never been on it by myself,” Young said.

Josh is the city manager and Bill is the community relations manager, both for Kilgore.

“This trail has become incredibly popular. I come out here sometimes early in the morning; I’ve actually walked in the dark with a flashlight, and even at that time not been here by myself,” Woodall said.

People say they run, walk, and roll their stress away by getting in with nature, but without the rough terrain.

“I know they’re trying to extend it and make it longer and any time anybody mentions it they’re just so fired up about that,” Young said.

The connection has not yet been made to that extension but:

“We’ve got all the clearing done; all the base material is laid. Left to do is the crossing under the bridge at Dudley and then paving a mile and a half of trail and the additional parking lot that we’re putting at the Dudley trailhead,” Selleck said.

People who have seen the extension can’t believe it’s in the city limits. Josh also says there is something extra coming soon that:

“Involves some sort of off-road and maybe mountain bike features,” Selleck said.

“It’s a great amenity, goes through town; city’s done a good job keeping the water flowing and it’s just a pleasant place to spend an hour,” Woodall said.

And believe it or not, if you can avoid work zones, Selleck says people are allowed to use this enchanted-looking trail right now. All you have to do is find it.

Selleck says they are hoping to have the extension complete and connected by summer’s end, just in time for cooler weather.

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