Del City Council approves $375,000 RTP grant application for phased trail linking Eagle Lake and regional routes
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Del City approved a resolution to apply for $375,000 from the Oklahoma Recreational Trails Program to fund phase 1 of a six‑phase trail project that staff estimates will cost about $4.1 million in total and will include three bridges and 3,000 feet of trail construction.
Del City’s City Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the city to apply for a $375,000 grant from the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department’s 2026 Recreational Trails Program to fund phase 1 of a six‑phase trail project intended to connect neighborhoods to Eagle Lake and regional routes.
The money requested in phase 1 would pay for a survey, design work and roughly 3,000 feet of trail, staff told the council. Kyle of economic development said the entire project is estimated at about $4.1 million and includes three bridges that account for a large portion of that cost. “This is a 6 phase proposed 6 phase project,” Kyle said during the presentation.
Resident Walter Jacks urged the council to prioritize safety and connectivity in the plan. “This is a dream come true for me,” Jacks said, praising the continuity the proposal would create with the Bomber Rail Trail and recommending bike lanes and clear signage at key intersections. He also advised incorporating connections to nearby Oklahoma City and Midwest City improvements to maximize regional commuting options.
City staff said they are seeking letters of support from Oklahoma City, Midwest City and ACOG and expected to meet the grant application window later in January. Staff noted the application’s advantage as a phased project and said they expect to submit after securing necessary support documents.
The council discussed naming options for the route and clarified that the proposed “Bomber” name is intended as a historical/airfield reference and not affiliated with any high school. Councilmembers asked technical questions about where the trail would tie into existing sidewalks and whether rail easements and abandoned tracks could be used; staff said some rails are abandoned but engineers will confirm feasibility and right‑of‑way dedications as part of the design work.
The resolution (listed on the agenda as No. 01202026) passed by unanimous vote. The council did not set construction timelines beyond the phase 1 planning and design work; staff said later phases would depend on future funding and partner contributions.
The next procedural step is for staff to collect letters of support and formally file the RTP application within the program’s stated deadline.