The Cedar Creek Waterway project is asking for $1.4 million to be put on the City Bond Election in the spring.
If passed, the City Bond Election will allow citizens of Abilene to show their support for building the Cedar Creek Waterway.
As of Oct. 15, City Hall said supporters of the Cedar Creek Waterway were in first place for total emails sent about the Bond Election.
The goal of the Cedar Creek Waterway project is to construct a series of park spaces linked by hiking, biking and jogging trails that run from Kirby Lake on the south side of Abilene all the way to Fort Phantom Lake on the north side.
Randy Barnett is one of many volunteers that are giving their time and money to make the Cedar Creek Waterway a reality.
“The Cedar Creek Waterway is a landmark transformation of Abilene’s landscape that will provide great new recreation spaces, generate economic development and create an oasis that will benefit the entire community,” he said.
Economic development will provide local businesses with new opportunities and promote tourism, Barnett said. Parks and greenbelts will add value to neighborhoods, and active public spaces generate traffic which will boost the economy.
The water needed for this project will come from a pipeline that carries recycled water to Lake Kirby which has a capacity for almost 1.5 billion gallons per year. Flowing water from Kirby will wind its way into freshwater ponds and a series of small retention dams with waterfalls and fountains.
Numerous ACU students and professors, led by Dr. Jim Cooke, a professor of agricultural and environmental sciences, are involved in supporting the project and have spent many weekends helping clean up the waterway.
“One of the benefits that we’re seeing already from the project is the involvement of the community and working together to make Abilene a better place,” Cooke said.
Features of the Cedar Creek Waterway will include nature trails, kayaking, waterfalls and fountains, paddleboats, amphitheaters, pavilions, picnic areas, cafes, coffee shops, restaurants and outdoor concerts.
“The Cedar Creek Waterway can remake the landscape and image of Abilene,” Barnett said.
