A major project for Kingfi sher Trails has gone out to bid and will be awarded next month.

The TACO-23 Project short for Trails Around City Optimization in 2023 - will provide improvements to the trails throughout the system in Kingfisher, including amenities such as mileage markers and a new pavilion and dock at the Outdoor Classroom in Briscoe Crossing.

Bids are due by and will be opened at noon Friday, Aug. 15, at the Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce office at 110 E. Broadway.

A “Notice to Bidders” legal publication ran in the Sunday, July 20, edition of the Kingfi sher Times & Free Press and will run again in the Sunday, July 27, edition.

There will also be a pre-bid conference at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 31, at Main Street and Court Street (just north of K&S Tire Shop).

“This will be a site visit to view existing conditions,” according to the legal publication.

However, according to Trails Chairman John Gooden, TACO-23 will see improvements to the trails in several areas of the city.

Among them:

• Create the ramp and stairs needed at the north end of Kingfisher Upper Elementary trail;

• Link the trail in Briscoe Park to the Francis Nature Trail where it meets the east side of 13th Street; and,

• Fix the hazard along the Pioneer yard near Kingfisher Creek as well as fix the maintenance difficulties along that section by adding a concrete apron along the upper slope of the hill adjacent to the Pioneer Crossing Trail.

The project is made possible by a grant from the Oklahoma Recreational Trails Program awarded in the 2023 cycle, but only now ready for construction.

Kingfisher Trails had a little extra help in its grant application.

Melissa De La Torre’s drawings of “running taco” in a depiction of a portion of Kingfisher Trails was submitted along with the application.

“That drawing was used to secure the grant funding!” said Gooden.

An easement for the new “Kostka Trail” is also key to the project’s success, Gooden added.

This easement will allow construction of the link on the west side of 13th Street between two key sections south of Briscoe Park.

“Currently, there is a flashing light for a crossing at that location, but there is no trail on the west side of 13th Street in which to cross,” Gooden said. “Kingfi sher Trails would like to thank Terry and Elizabeth Misar and Helen Hindman for their generous donation of that key easement.”

Another grant has been awarded to Kingfisher Trails in 2024 and is still pending.

This will be for trail construction along Will Rogers Drive, between Kingfisher Memorial Library and Main Street.

Plans for the TACO-23 Project are available for both the public and potential bidders. They can be attained by contacting Gooden by email at kingfi shertrailsinc@gmail.com to request a copy.