Portfolio Public Places

Northeast Texas Trail (NETT) Feasibility Study

A bold vision for a 130-mile state park trail could connect rural communities through recreation, stewardship, and sustainable infrastructure from Texarkana to East Dallas.

Aerial view of expansive landscapes with winding river and scattered trees, NETT 01.

Aerial view of expansive natural landscape with fields, ponds, and lush greenery.

Elevated green pathway through dense, bare trees, illustrating urban design.

Tree-lined path with wooden planks under a clear blue sky, suggesting natural design.

Aerial view of a stone bridge surrounded by lush greenery and a clear sky.

Size

130 miles

Location

Northeast Texas

Client

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

Stretching from Texarkana to East Dallas, the Northeast Texas Trail proposes a new way to connect rural communities through recreation and stewardship. RVi led a comprehensive feasibility study to help Texas Parks & Wildlife Department evaluate opportunities, challenges, and a path forward for this landmark rail-to-trail initiative.

GOALS

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to incorporate the 130-mile Northeast Texas Trail (NETT) into the Texas State Park system as its first linear state park. To understand the challenges, benefits, and best alternatives, RVi led a feasibility study aimed at producing an accessible, data-driven framework to guide decision-making, partnerships, and sustainability of this historic rail-to-trail conversion.

OUTCOMES

If approved, the longest hike, bike, and equestrian route in Texas would become the state’s first linear state park and a national model for connecting public infrastructure with rural communities through recreation and shared stewardship. RVi’s feasibility study lays out a framework for TPWD, the NETT Coalition, and future design teams to follow toward achieving this vision. The study considers all angles, from site analysis to historical and cultural context, and adapts best practices from other linear state park models to address economic, environmental, operational, and funding implications for future phases.

The RVi team developed innovative GIS tools, creating a virtual trail tour to support community engagement, trail asset management, and TPWD discussions with other departments. Learning from the successes of similar projects on the national scale, RVi recommended employing a TPWD community coordinator to advance dialogue and build consensus among the 19 trail-adjacent communities and other stakeholders.

The report itself is designed with intention in a visual, user-friendly format for public accessibility and transparency around decision-making. The feasibility study provides a flexible roadmap to a shared vision, while fostering stewardship of the environment and outlining how to coordinate with RAISE grant funding, should TPWD move forward with the project.

Trails and Greenways