Heath Mayor Jeremiah McClure announced progress on the city's growing trail network Friday, Aug. 7, posting a video update through the city's official social media account highlighting natural trail connectivity gains.
The announcement caps a busy spring and summer for trail development in Heath, where the City Council has approved funding, easements and master plan amendments aimed at linking neighborhoods across the lakeside community.
$1.7–$2.2 million grant application moves forward
The council's biggest recent trail action came July 14, when members unanimously approved Resolution No. 260714A authorizing a grant application to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the Marsha's Happy Haven and Terry Lane Trail Project, according to council records.
The combined project carries an estimated price tag of $1.7 million to $2.2 million. TPWD's Local Park Grant Program offers matching funds up to $750,000. The project also received $1.1 million in private donations in March 2026, bringing the fund balance to roughly $1.195 million as of July 14. Luna Architects, the original designer, will resume work, with construction estimated to begin approximately one year from the grant approval.
Marsha's Happy Haven is a 0.54-acre all-abilities playground planned for Terry Park, on land dedicated in January 2026.
Terry Lane, Hubbard Drive and McDonald Road trails
Three other trail projects are advancing simultaneously:
Terry Lane Trail: The road rehabilitation project wrapped up by late July, as we reported Aug. 6. Rockwall County committed remaining rehabilitation funds to help build a new sidewalk along the corridor, with surveying and preliminary layout complete and design underway.
Hubbard Drive Trail: This segment requires an easement from the City of Dallas along the causeway. As of late July, the easement request had advanced to the Dallas City Council's agenda process and a survey had been commissioned.
McDonald Road Trail: The council approved a $444,500 facilities agreement May 12 to build a 10-foot-wide trail connecting the Estates of Bristol Valley subdivision to the existing trail at Stoneleigh, funded by $449,596 in park development fees from 127 lots.
Master plan updated, more connectors eyed
On June 9, the council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 260609A amending the Parks, Recreation and Trails Master Plan. The revision realigned a trail segment in the Heath Golf and Yacht Club area along Rosie Kate Drive, connecting to the existing Hubbard Drive trail, with a segment along Canal Street extending to Noe Boulevard. According to council records from that meeting, the realignment removes the need for Army Corps of Engineers permitting, significantly shortening the construction timeline.
At the April 14 council meeting, McClure directed staff to add the Falcon Point-to-Stoneleigh connector and the McCrummun connector to the city's monthly trail update, calling both "dead-end trails" in need of connections.
The Heath Economic Development Corporation also approved a $15,000 nature trail at its April 21 meeting, linking the 305 Laurence Drive property to The Reserve at Chris Cuny Boulevard, with an initial trail cut completed in early 2026.
Funding and volunteer efforts
The Parks and Trails of Heath committee, the city's volunteer fundraising arm, reported a year-to-date fund balance of $236,198 as of March 31, according to Park Board records. PATH Committee Chair Jordan Haverly told the board in June that HOA outreach on trail extension funding would begin after the city receives updated cost estimates and coordinates with TxDOT on priority connections.
What's next
The Heath City Council meets Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 6:30 p.m. at 200 Laurence Drive. That meeting's agenda focuses on the proposed FY 2026–2027 tax rate and budget adoption; trail connectivity is not a listed item, but residents can address the council during the public comment period.
