New trail moving along north of Palo Alto Battlefield Park

By TONY VINDELL
LFN

A 1 ½-mile long trail from Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park to Los Fresnos has been completed and it’s an extension of a walking trail that starts in downtown Brownsville.

Known as Cara Cara Trail, the project was built at the end of April after it got off the ground during a ceremony held on the park grounds in late January.

Cara Cara is the name of a bird of prey and also a type of navel orange.

The entire trail project encompasses 248 miles that goes from Brownsville to Los Fresnos, Port Isabel, the south part of the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Arroyo City, Rio Hondo, Harlingen, San Benito, Los Indios and back to Brownsville.

It’s to be built in phases.

Crews with SAMES, a McAllen company contracted to build the trail, was seen recently working along the route off FM 1847, also known as Paredes Line Road.

A company employee said the project called for working on a 1 ½-mile route.

The trail stops at a gate and then goes right and left toward Los Fresnos. Another arm goes toward Laguna Heights and Port Isabel, and that is in the works.

The new trail is a joint venture from the private and public sectors and the 10 municipalities partnering in the project.

Los Fresnos City Manager Mark Milam had said the trail project has been in the works for several years.

He also said the city has $700,000 in a fund to develop a new trail to link the two communities.

A total of $200,000 came from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and $500,000 from the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation.