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Council forwards Rock Solid Trails concept plan to bond referendum workshop; parks staff estimate $2.5 million for recommended improvements
Summary
Rock Solid Trails presented a conceptual plan for upgrading Laredo's Shiloh and nearby trail systems. Council agreed Jan. 28 to forward the plan for consideration in the city's upcoming bond-referral workshop after staff reported cost estimates and existing grant funding for a portion of the work.
Rock Solid Trails, a national trail design company, presented a $19,500 concept plan Jan. 28 to City Council for upgrades to the Shiloh trail system and related greenway connectors near Faskin and Haines recreation centers. The firm recommended phased improvements — including drainage stabilization, trail realignment and small amenity areas — that city staff estimated could total roughly $2.5 million for the package presented.
Rock Solid senior trail planner Odin Costas described multiuse trail typologies and low-cost repairs that can improve trail longevity and create year-round recreation amenities. “Trails are one of the least expensive things a city can fund that has one of the highest impacts,” Costas told the council during a remote presentation.
Parks and recreation and engineering staff told council the concept plan focused primarily on Shiloh and added smaller features near Faskin (Father Magnavel) and Haines, and that the department had an open Texas Parks & Wildlife grant covering a separate design connection (to Springfield–McPherson) of roughly $267,000 (reimbursable) and about $60,000 in in‑kind staff match already identified.
Parks director Tommy Ramirez and consultant Hogan (Rock Solid) said Rock Solid’s higher-end conceptual estimate for the Shiloh improvements was $777,000; the broader set of recommendations for Shiloh, Faskin and Haines totaled about $2.5 million. Councilmember Tyler King and park advocates emphasized accelerating repairs at Shiloh after recent rains damaged roughly 20% of the trail network, and councilmember King pressed staff on maintenance-capability and whether city crews had the specialized equipment required to maintain newly built trail typologies.
Council voted to forward the full Rock Solid Trails package to the Thursday bond-referral workshop for possible inclusion in the bond referendum; Council also asked staff to supply lifecycle (maintenance) cost estimates and clarify which items could be funded by the existing Texas Parks & Wildlife grant versus bond funds.
What’s next: Parks and engineering will provide a phased cost breakdown, maintenance requirements and how the concept aligns with an existing state grant; council will consider the package during the bond-referral workshop and decide whether to include all or part of the concept in a voter referendum.
