Hattiesburg city officials held groundbreaking Monday in the Duncan Lake Walking Trail Extension with state, federal and local taxes and grants, including Hattiesburg’s Your Penny at Work program.
A group of city leaders presented the groundbreaking ceremony outside the Duncan Lake area, led by Mayor Toby Barker. Second Ward Councilwoman Deborah Delgado and department heads witnessed the ceremony.
Barker said funding for the project began at the state level about a year ago with support from local legislators.
“We announced a grant from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and the Federal Highway Administration's Recreational Trails grant,” he said. “This grant was designated to extend the walking trail in Duncan Lake about where we stand now to the backside of the 17-acre lake.”
The total cost of the project is $293,067, with $120,000 from the recreation program grant from Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and the Federal Highway Administration. The remaining $173,067 one-cent Parks and Recreation tax that Hattiesburg voters approved in 2019.
Barker said two factors played into the design of the eight-foot trail for walkers, joggers, cyclists, and wheelchairs, along with construction.
“First, we wanted to complete this project in a way that does not adversely affect the delicate species research environment,” he said. “Much of this extension will be a very unique trail and a very unique ecosystem that will meander through what is believed to be only one of six sand hill environments located within the State of Mississippi.”
Only two of the six environments are on public lands and Duncan Lake is one of those ecosystems, Barker said, adding that two rare plants are found in the habitat. One plant, the sand hill milkweed, is a host to migrating monarch butterflies. He said more 100 species either reside within or migrate through the sand hill environment at Duncan Lake.
“Because of this rare ecosystem, part of this trail features a 60-foot boardwalk in the middle of the trail to minimize the human impact on this environment,” Barker said. “But, it also gives Hattiesburg citizens and other visitors an opportunity to experience something truly different.”
Barker said the second factor in the project was tying the trail into the East Jerusalem neighborhood and farther. However, the addition to the trail also comes at a good time, he said.
“We're late this year and early next year we're going to pave all of Fourth Street,” Barker said. “Even looking beyond that, what is Hardy Street can connect the Chain Park along the river. That was one of the main reasons we formed the River District with Petal and Forrest County. If you can connect Chain Park to Duncan Lake and you are connected to the Longleaf Trace, the ecotourism possibilities really come into play.”
Delgado said she was excited to see the development of the area.
“Over the years, I have seen Duncan Lake blossom and blossom because of investment,” she said. “I can remember a time that it was not so appealing, but it is now. Today, we’re excited to share the groundbreaking for the Duncan Lake Walking Trail Extension – the next Your Penny at Work project. That goes to show you that any community that you invest in and put your heart in can blossom and be a great space for the citizens of Hattiesburg.”