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Council leases unused platted road easements to bike-trail club, cites tourism potential
Summary
Council approved a rolling lease with the Southeast Oklahoma Bike Trail Club to build and manage volunteer-built mountain-bike trails on unused platted road easements; club leaders said they carry insurance and expect trails to increase tourist visits and local spending.
Council authorized a rolling annual lease allowing the Southeast Oklahoma Bike Trail Club to develop volunteer-built mountain-bike trails on unused, platted road easements and other city-owned parcels not currently used for roads.
The club representative explained trails already exist on Strong Boulevard and nearby private land, averaging roughly 30 users per day, and said the organization carries insurance and will name the city as additional insured. The club framed the project as low-cost trail development on existing easements and argued that additional miles could attract riders to stop for food and services in McAlester.
Supporters told the council the initiative had drawn regional attention and that building trail mileage could increase tourist spending; councilors approved the lease by roll-call vote.
Ending: Council approved the lease and encouraged volunteer and staff cooperation to grow trail networks.
