Two new grant-funded walking trails are close to the construction phase, Kingfisher Trails Inc. President John Gooden said last week.

Francis Nature Trail, connecting Briscoe Sports Complex to Sam Walton Plaza on the south side of the Walmart parking lot, will begin construction soon.

Additionally, bids for construction of the trails, ramps and walkways in Newfield Community Park are expected to be opened April 7, Gooden said.

Kingfisher Trails awarded the Francis Nature Trail contract to MMS Construction and Paving, owned by local contractor Shawn

Scammahorn, after a highly competitive bid process, Gooden said.

“The Francis Nature Trail is made possible by the community-minded donation of a trail easement by John Francis and John Kenney, local developers and owners of KfP Inc.,” Gooden said.

“Though neither lives in Kingfisher, they appreciate the work the Trails organization is doing to create corridors that will serve the community as a legacy in years to come.

“Mr. Francis and Mr. Kenney view the Trails as an enhancement to development.

“John Francis has a trail along his own back fence and visible from his kitchen table.

“He enjoys the sense of community that it engenders in his Edmond neighborhood.”

KfP, Inc. sold the land to Walmart Inc. for the construction of the supercenter, along with the land for other businesses nearby and along State Highway 81, Gooden said.

“The Walmart corporation assisted the trail project,” he said. They not only donated $25,000 to Kingfisher Trails when the supercenter opened, they have now donated the easement along the property’s south side to allow the trail construction to terminate at the Sam Walton Plaza, between the two parking area entrances.”

The city of Kingfisher won a Recreational Trails grant last year for construction of the trails, ramps and walkways in Newfield Community Park and Connie Scothorn of CLS & Associates is completing construction documents in preparation for bidding.

The new construction will include the city’s first lighted trails, with 50 light poles already purchased and awaiting installation.

The bid will include a parking area where pavement for Eighth Street was removed and the sidewalks in the new dog park.