A new bridge at Lake Lawtonka, a pit for burning debris at Lake Ellsworth, boathouse fees at Ralph’s Resort, and road improvements at School House Slough, were approved by the Lawton City Council.
The Mountain Bike Club of the Wichitas received permission to construct a new bridge at the southwest corner of Lake Lawtonka.
The 120-foot bridge will be “slightly higher” than the existing 30-foot bridge and will “extend farther south to provide for yearround access across the corner of the lake,” said Kelvin Ingram, deputy director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
The new bridge will be constructed with concrete footings, to which a steel frame will be attached with steel anchors, records reflect. The bridge deck will be 4 feet wide and constructed of wood.
Construction of the bridge will be financed entirely by the Mountain Bike Club, “including but not limited to materials, labor, and any necessary permits.” The club also “assumes all risks associated with” construction of the structure.
An agreement between the City of Lawton and the bike club provides that the bridge must be inspected by the city’s Engineering Department prior to its use and will be subject to annual reviews and inspections by the city.
Another agreement authorizes Comanche County to excavate a 50foot by 20-foot pit at Lake Ellsworth. The hole will be used to conduct open burning of trees removed from Cove Acres, a subdivision on the north side the lake.
The pit will “efficiently burn natural vegetative debris such as tree limbs, brush, and storm-related material while minimizing costs, reducing transport time of materials, and keeping askes from entering the lake,” Lakes Superintendent James Bonnarens said.
A task order on engineering services for the parking lot and road pavement project in School House Slough at Lake Lawtonka was approved.
Chris Serrano, director of municipal services for WSB engineering consultants, said the scope of work the company will provide includes the design of road construction throughout the project area, bank stabilization, pavement for parking areas within the park, installation of storm sewers at road crossings, and grading to promote proper drainage.
The work is expected to begin this month and be “substantially completed within eight months,” according to Michael Jones, the city’s engineering director.
The City Council also approved a resolution that:
• maintains School House Slough dry-stall annual lease rates at existing prices: $1,453 for 12-foot by 30-foot units and $1,609 for 12-foot by 40-foot units.
• raises annual boathouse fees in 2026 at Ralph’s Resort at Lake Ellsworth “to match those assessed by the current concessionaire”: from $667 to $1,250.
The Lakes and Lands Commission supported the changes, the city council was told.