OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — The Oklahoma City Council voted Tuesday to approve plans for the development of the Red Ridge Nature Preserve in the city’s northeast area. The 133-acre property, purchased by the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, will be transformed into an urban sanctuary aimed at preserving nature in an increasingly developed city. However, the decision has raised concerns over a key aspect of the project: the construction of a proposed trail through the preserve.
The Kirkpatrick Family Fund originally sought a zoning change to eliminate a prior agreement that would have allowed the construction of a trail through the property, arguing that the trail could harm the local ecosystem. City Council’s approval of this new zoning clears the way for the preserve’s creation without the trail, at least for now.
Lance Swearengin, Deputy Director of the Red Ridge Nature Preserve, emphasized the importance of the project during Tuesday’s council meeting. “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,” Swearengin said. “We appreciate the City Council’s support of our vision.”
The Kirkpatrick Family Fund has voiced concerns about the potential ecological impact of the proposed trail. Liz Eickman, Director of the Fund, explained that the construction of the trail could disrupt the natural habitat. “It’s in conflict with how animals, plant life, and water systems function in this area. The trail could potentially cut off access to water, which is crucial for the ecosystem,” Eickman said.
The proposed trail was part of the broader Deep Fork River Trail project, which is currently 60% complete. The goal of the project is to connect various trail segments across the city, offering residents and visitors a safe, scenic route through Oklahoma City’s natural landscapes. Hal McKnight, a trail advocate, expressed frustration over the delay caused by the zoning decision. “This would finish the interconnection of the trails, allowing people to safely travel through the area,” McKnight said.
Kevin Farmer, president of the Oklahoma Bicycle Society, warned that the removal of the trail from the preserve’s plans could lead to increased costs and a less desirable route. “It makes us take a step back,” Farmer noted. “This forces the project to become a much longer and much costlier process, and it may end up rerouted to an area that is not only less scenic but also less safe.”
