The official opening and ribbon cutting for the expanded Port O’Connor Paddling Trail and new kiosk will be on July 9 at 9 a.m. The ceremony will be held at the Little Jetties Launch Site and free kayaking lessons will follow afterwards.

The Paddling Trail is a series of six interconnected trails, and the 12-mile expansion adds, the Pass Cavallo J-hook Trail, and the Barroom Bay Trail. About 40 miles of trails will now be available to paddlers.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, attendees can take advantage of the additional miles and participate in a free kayaking lesson with Alan Raby of Dolphin Kayaks. A variety of kayaks will be available for use.

Following on July 10, there will be a free guided tour at 9 a.m. at Boggy Park and paddlers can test their newly-learned skills. Register for either event by emailing AllanRBerger@comcast.net.

The new kiosk provides paddlers with information about the trails and their lengths – visitors can choose to paddle from several hours to several days. The kiosk also provides visitors with necessary information about wildlife and ecology, conservation, bay conditions, and safety tips.

These new amenities of the Paddling Trail give the public another good reason to visit Port O’Connor, often referred to as the “Best Kept Secret on the Gulf Coast.”

The expansion has been made possible through the dedication and cooperation of Calhoun County, Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce, West Side Calhoun County Navigation District, and San Antonio Bay Partnership.

The Texas Paddling Trails program helps promote habitat conservation through sustainable economic development, while providing additional recreational opportunities to the public. More Americans paddle (canoe, kayak or raft) than play soccer, making it one of the fastest-growing nature tourism experiences.

To learn more, visit the Texas Paddling Trails pages at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/paddlingtrails.