Jon Allan Trail Update
The Helotes Heritage Association (HHA) has released an update on the Jon Allan Trail proposed for the Senator Frank Madla, Jr., Natural Area.
A grant proposal for $5,000 was submitted to the American Hiking Society in December. They will learn in the spring whether or not they will receive that grant.
As far as soliciting local support, the Trail is off to a great start. They have collected approximately $6,000 in cash donations, and hundreds of volunteer hours have been committed by local civic groups, equipment owners and operators, and professional experts (including architects, landscape architects, geologists, and hydrologists).
The next steps will be taken by the City of Grey Forest City Council who will assemble an oversight board. Volunteers will work with them to plan and develop the trail. The first phase of trail and natural area development will be environmental (i.e., flora and geology) surveys.
Regardless of the outcome of the American Hiking Society grant application, work on this trail will move forward. To complete the development of the Jon Allan Trail, fundraising efforts will continue and, if necessary, more grants will be applied for.
Jon was an avid hiker and amateur naturalist. This trail will be a first-class hiking trail, an educational experience, and a worthy tribute to his memory.
Contributions for the development and construction of the Jon Allan Hiking Trail are tax deductible and can be made to the HHA on their website, www.helotesheritage.org, or mailed to the HHA at P.O. Box 1324, Helotes, Texas 78023.