12 - NAMING TRAIL DE PARIS BRIDGEItem No. 12
memorandum
TO: Mayor & City Council
FROM: John Godwin, City Manager
SUBJECT: NAMING TRAIL DE PARIS BRIDGE
DATE: August 21, 2017
BACKGROUND: When completed the Northeast Texas Trail will be the longest Hike /Bike and
Equestrian Trail in Texas and the 4th longest in the United States. Our local portion, the Trail de
Paris, is already a huge presence in our community, providing local recreation, encouraging
tourism, and connecting neighborhoods. More than any other single person, Earl Erickson is the
"father" of the trail, responsible in many ways for bringing it to life, and then keeping its growth
and future alive with his boundless energy and dedication.
STATUS OF ISSUE: In recognition of Earl's exceptional leadership in developing the
Northeast Texas Trail, the NETT board of directors is asking the city council to name the bridge
nearest the civic center in his honor, a small thing in exchange for the countless hours donated to
the trail's development, management, and funding. In addition, the board wishes to place metal
plaques on or near the wooden bridge to recognize donors to the recent capital campaign.
BUDGET: NA.
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize naming of bridge and placement of appropriate signage to
identify donors.
P.O. Box 6172 Paris, TX 75461 -6172
Info @nettrail.org
August 12, 2017
Mr. John Godwin
Paris City Manager
135 SE Vt Street
Paris, TX 75460
Dear Mr. Godwin,
In appreciation for Earl Erickson's exceptional leadership in developing the NorthEast Texas Trail
(NETT), the NETT board of directors would like to name the bridge near the Love Civic Center
trailhead in his honor. This bridge is owned by the city of Paris, and the board would like to request
that the Paris City Council approve naming the 'Earl Erickson Bridge' as a lasting tribute to Earl and his
family.
The NETT board plans to host a reception in mid - October to recognize donors who generously
contributed to our recent capital campaign. Metal plaques inscribed with each donor's name will be
mounted on the wooden bridge. (Please see examples in attached photos.) If our request is
approved, we would like to dedicate the bridge at that event, and unveil a new "Earl Erickson Bridge"
sign at the bridge entranceway.
Expenses for the plaques and new bridge sign will be paid by the NETT coalition. There will be no cost
to the city of Paris.
We appreciate your time and assistance in bringing this request before the city council for
consideration. Please feel free to contact our Lamar County representative, Pat Cochran, for
questions or additional information.
Thank you very much.
Sinc ely,
D vid Turner��
Vice President, NorthEast Texas Trail Coalition Board of Directors
Attachment
Examples of Donor Recognition Plaques on a Pedestrian Bridge
Sample Donor Recognition Plaque
Placement of Plaques on Bridge