Legion Park chosen for main trailhead; bids to be solicited

RED OAK — Legion Park and Eastern Avenue will serve as trailheads for Red Oak’s new recreation trail after approval of a trails committee recommendation last week.

Red Oak’s City Council approved the recommendation the main trail head, complete with signs and improved bathroom facilities be located at Legion Park, while a secondary, less elaborate trailhead will be built near the intersection of Highway 34 and Eastern Avenue, on the east side of Red Oak.

Phil Lamb, chair of the Friends of the Red Oak Trails, explained why the committee thought a minimal secondary trailhead on Eastern would be beneficial.

“Just to put rock in there and signage so it can be seen from the highway and the hotel/motels in that area would be nice,” he said. “Before we talked about full restrooms up there [but] if we could just get a parking area up there and a trailhead with signage.”

By approving the recommendation, the Council authorizes the committee to solicit bids for the construction, which will be discussed at a future meeting.

Also at the meeting, the Council agreed to conduct a July 2 public hearing into the financial agreement with ShopKo, in which the City agrees to provide up to $100,000 total in sales tax refunds over the next five years.

Also at an upcoming meeting, the Council agreed to revisit allowing golf cart operation on city streets.