For most of the summer, volunteers have been converting some 300 acres of Nichols Park into an off-road site with trails through the dense underbrush and across rocky streams.
This weekend, the Henryetta Off-road Track and Trail (HOTT) will be opened to the public.A spacious, graveled parking lot has been hewn out of the southwest corner of the park and a dirt path established for all-terrain vehicles to get to the site. That roadway starts off the excitement with several steep hills challenging drivers as they traverse a pair of rock-filled creeks.
Participants have to go through a 200-foot-long tunnel under the Indian Nation Turnpike then a main trail takes riders into the start of the trail system.
The trails, cut by the volunteers wind around the west side of the park and eventually come out on a flat hilltop. There, a circular track will allow riders to open the throttle and do some racing either by themselves or pitting their machines against others. A part of the center has been set up to let riders hold a mini-drag race.
According to Arley Gray, the trails are still being developed with plans to eventually set aside some pull-out spots for picnics and family enjoyment.There is a $5 fee for each machine to use the entire park system which is open from sun up to sundown.
He said an honor box will be placed at the start of the trail with a paper hanger that participants will place in their vehicles.
"We have already had a lot of interest from al over the area," he said. "Several motorcycle businesses and those that sell the off-road vehicles are helping to spread the word about HOTT to their customers."
Another feature of the area is a quarter-mile long motor-cross track featuring a number of jumps and tight, stomach wrenching turns. That is designed to give dirt bike riders a place to try out their machines and skills.Police chief Steve Norman pointed out there are signs and warning barriers along the entrance to the trail system keeping people away from Nichols Park users.
"We want everyone to have fun but we don't want anyone driving their side by sides through the park," he said. Police will be responding to complaints and will be citing violators.
Gray and the police chief pointed out that anyone using the trails are assuming their own risks and liability. "The city is not responsible for the terrain, trails, obstacles, animals or equipment," Gray said.
"The opening of HOTT will be a start to the enhancements to the quality of life in Henryetta," said mayor Jennifer Clason. "I appreciate and admire all the hard work that our city employees, especially Arley Gray and Ron Casey have done on their personal time to make HOTT the extraordinary place it is."
She went on to say the volunteers from the community also deserve praise. "Henryetta is a community and this was a community effort. Everyone helped and everyone will benefit."
Click here to see video of some of the trail system.