23-04-2025
City council approves plan for nature preserve in NE OKC, trail users concerned
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The city gave the green light on Tuesday to develop a nature preserve in northeast Oklahoma City.
However, the plan is sparking some concern because of original plans for a trail to run through the property.
The Kirkpatrick Family Fund, which purchased the 133 acres to create the Red Ridge Nature Preserve, was seeking new zoning that eliminates the prior agreement for the owner to cooperate in construction of the trail. OKC City Council approved that on Tuesday.
'Today's vote was a critical step on the path to creating an urban nature preserve unlike anything else in our city, where nature comes first. We appreciate City Council's support our vision,' said Lance Swearengin, deputy director of the Red Ridge Nature Preserve.
The Kirkpatrick Family Fund told News 4 earlier this month that they believe the trail would threaten the ecosystem.
'It's in conflict in terms of how animals and how plant life and just how we develop that area that is closest to the deep fork and the trail could have potentially cut off access to water,' said Liz Eickman, director of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund.
Eickman says they support a trail, but is asking the city to look at alternative routes.
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Some trails advocates are concerned the new zoning will affect the future of the trail.
'It makes us take a step back and it forces this to be a much longer and much costlier process and may force the trail to go somewhere else that is far less not only scenic, but safe than this current route,' said Kevin Farmer, president of the Oklahoma Bicycle Society.
The Deep Fork River Trail is 60% complete and this phase is the missing piece that would link the city's trail system.
'It will finish the interconnection of the trails that will allow people to safely get through there,' said Hal McKnight, trail advocate.
The City says its confident the trail will still be completed and that legal action could be taken.
'If you approve this rezoning it is not going to stop a trail from going through there, we can still condemn a trail if we can't buy one from them,' said Kenneth Jordan, municipal counselor for the city.
For now, the design team from Halff Associates is looking at alternative routes and will present the city with other options in early fall.
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