The Cotton Belt Trail system in Grapevine is getting longer.

A design is currently in the works for a 1.5-mile trail that will link up to where the trail currently ends at Ball Street and Dallas Road. The city will construct the trail to travel along Dallas to Texan Trail.

Following this, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit authority recently approved funding to pick the trail up from the Grapevine train station and build it east toward Plano, as well as build a portion from Plano west toward Grapevine. Grapevine will design a trail to bridge the gap between the two trails.

“Thirty years ago the parks department and the city started working on [the Cotton Belt Trail system], and … [it] got DART to change essentially the way they do business and allow an extra use in their rail corridors,” Grapevine Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Mitchell said. “So that trail was very transformational for the entire region.”

This is one of several trail projects the Grapevine Parks and Recreation Department has identified to construct. Mitchell explained these projects are the results of surveys from residents who enjoy the hike and bike trails the city provides and would like to have more of them.

“The community really has embraced walking and hiking and biking,” Mitchell said. “It's easy; you don't have to use anything but a pair of shoes.  … It gives you so many options.”

Grapevine’s parks and recreation master plan, which was adopted this year, spells out a connective trail system that will link up to surrounding cities to encourage residents to explore, be active and could even help them get to work.