Temple’s Lions Park was on the list of honored designees when Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced earlier this month the designation of 24 trails across the country as new National Recreation Trails. It is one of only two trails in the state of Texas to be recognized this year.

“This recognition really speaks to what the Temple Parks & Leisure Services Department is all about. We are dedicated to enriching the lives of people in the Temple community,” Director Ken Cicora said.

“For many years, when we have conducted community needs surveys developing hike and bike trails has been the No. 1 choice of Temple’s residents. The staff has worked very hard to fulfill that desire,” Cicora said.

“This is really quite an honor for Temple,” he said.

Parks Planner Kim Mettenbrink was responsible for designing trail improvements to Lions Park. She filed the application for the trail’s recognition.

“What’s so unique about Lions Park is that it offers such a diverse set of topographies within one park.” Ms. Mettenbrink said. “Over the years, we’ve worked to create new spaces with differences in vegetation and soil types. We’ve also added art all along the trail.”

Ms. Mettenbrink said Lions Park’s trail is actually a combination of two trails. The first is made of concrete and meanders through the lower part of the park. Along this trail are wetlands and a beautiful pecan grove. The second trail is located along the hillside, overlooking the neighboring town. Along this crushed granite trail, walkers can see a cedar grove, pavilions and a fishing pond.

“We are very proud to be able to share this honor with the people of Temple who help make the park such a unique and inviting place,” Cicora said. “We will be planning a dedication ceremony later this summer at Lions Park to officially designate the trail as a National Recreation Trail.”

The National Recreation Trails program began in 1971 and is geared towards reconnecting American families to nature. The program is jointly administered by the NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program and the U.S. Forest Service in conjunction with a number of other federal and nonprofit partners, notably American Trails, which hosts the National Recreation Trail Web site at http://americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails.

“National Recreation Trails exemplify partnerships and are providing a path to fitness and stewardship for Americans of all ages.” Kempthorne said.