Mineola Nature Preserve

Spring Sensation 5k, 10k, 15k, Half Marathon 5/17/25 -- 8:00AM Mineola Nature Preserve - Mineola, TX Welcome to the Spring Sensation 5k, 10k, 15k, Half Marathon! - free photos - course through beautiful nature preserve on railbed trail (~25% paved, 75% hard packed gravel/dirt) - 5k is out and back in Mineola Nature Preserve - 10k is the 5k course repeated twice - 15k is the 5k course repeats three times - half marathon is 4.36 miles repeated three times - medals for all participants, no shirts to keep costs low - results posted on the website evening of the race - small, fun, friendly 5k, 10k, 15k run or walk open for all ​Date - Saturday, May 17th, 2025 ​Start time - 8:00AM ​​Bib pick up - 7:30-8:00AM ​Register online through either paypal.com or active.com.   Please only choose one method of registration.  You will receive a confirmation email within 12 hours after registration.  Please only register through one site. ​Race day registration available - 5k $25, 10k $30, 15k $35, half marathon $40 ​Course info -- 5k repeats the out and back once - http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7663707 10k repeats the out and back two times with water/Gatorade at the 5k point 15k repeats the out and back three times with water/Gatorade and Gu gels at 5k & 10k ​Half marathon is 4.36 mile out and back repeated three times wither water/Gatorade and Gu gels at mile 4.36 & 8.72 - https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7710807 Half marathon time limit 3.5 hours to finish by 11:30.  If more time is needed please email us at info@thefreedomrunners.com for early start ​Please watch your footing on the trail, some areas can have small sections that can get rocky and/or muddy, and always watch for snakes! ​Location - Mineola Nature Preserve (start and finish near the Disc Golf Course & Pavilion) In google maps use Mineola Disc Golf Course​ Google maps link - https://goo.gl/maps/agmwQWRXdqLMfTMM9 In Apple Maps app can use Mineola Nature Preserve ​Parking - free parking in the Mineola Nature Preserve parking lot near the Disc Golf Course/Pavilion The gate to the preserve opens by 7:30AM. Waiver ​Waiver - please sign waiver after registering and submit via email to info@thefreedomrunners.com, or bring on race day, or we will have copies to sign at bib pick up.

The Mineola Nature Preserve on the Sabine River encompasses 2,911 acres of rich East Texas Land with 20 miles of equestrian trails, a covered pavilion, 14 hookups, 20 uncovered horse pens and 8 covered horse pens. Come enjoy the preserve with your horse and connect with fellow equestrians! Please reserve amenities through the link below. They are anticipated to fill up fast! https://www.camplife.com/1408/reservation/step1 Event Details Saturday and Sunday Trail Challenge (TC) – a relaxing trail ride with judged obstacles along the trail and possibly in camp. All riding disciplines are welcome. The Terrain Terrain consists of rolling hills. Ground is not rocky. Rock boots/horse shoes not necessary. Meals Warm Dinner will be available for purchase on-site Saturday after the ride in addition to Breakfast and Lunch on Sunday. Please reserve when registering. Awards Beautiful ribbons - 1st-6th place Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced! 1st-3rd place Junior (age 13-17), 1st-3rd place Youngin' (age 7-12), and 1st place Newcomer. Lifetime Awards (Equine & Rider) - Sign up 2 weeks in advance to get your qualifying awards! Equine Awards - Your equine will earn a beautiful kilt pin adding copper, bronze, silver, and golden carrot charms as they progress through the levels. Equine points accumulate no matter who rides the equine. Rider Awards - You will earn a beautiful kilt pin adding copper, bronze, silver, and golden star charms as you progress through the levels. Rider Points accumulate no matter which equine is ridden. Additional Fees Payment for ALL Amenities reserved at the time of online registration are due ON SITE and are NOT collected at the time of online registration. Registering online will give you the best (early bird) pricing! There is a $10 increase per entry for onsite registration. https://www.equinetrailsports.com/event_group/13406/view

Boil Water Notice Rescinded – Goodson Circle We are pleased to inform residents of Goodson Circle that the Boil Water Notice has been officially rescinded. Water quality testing has confirmed that the water is now safe to drink and use without boiling. We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this time. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Please note that City Hall will be closed on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, in observance of the holiday. 💧 Water bill payments can still be made: Online at www.mineola.com , or Dropped in the drop box located at City Hall. Regular business hours will resume on Monday, April 21, 2025. We appreciate your understanding and wish everyone a safe and peaceful Good Friday and Easter weekend! 🌸

The City of Mineola is committed to supporting efforts that address food insecurity and provide vital resources to our residents. With 15.4% of our community living below the poverty line, ensuring access to nutritious food is a key priority. The City is working alongside organizations such as the East Texas Food Bank and local food pantries to help connect residents with available resources, including: Bread of Life Ministries Kindness Kottage Rosehill Food Pantry Mineola High School Football Parking Lot (Mobile Pantry) Mineola United Methodist Church (Senior Box) Additionally, community programs such as the Kids Backpack Program, Summer Free Food Program, and Senior Box Program provide essential support for families and individuals. Residents can also seek assistance through the Benefits Assistance Program, which helps eligible individuals apply for services such as SNAP, Medicaid, and CHIP. The City encourages residents to learn more about available food assistance programs and ways to get involved. For information on how to access services or volunteer, please visit https://www.easttexasfoodbank.org/programs/benefits-assistance/  Please note: Donations made through this QR code will directly support food assistance efforts within the City of Mineola, helping local families and individuals in need. Supporting Community Well-Being Ensuring that all residents have access to basic needs is a priority for a strong and thriving community. The City of Mineola will continue to collaborate with local organizations to help connect residents with food assistance programs and encourage community participation in hunger relief efforts. For additional details on food assistance programs and community initiatives, please visit www.mineola.com or contact local service organizations. If you would like to connect directly with the East Texas Food Bank, please reach out to: Shuneda Sterrett Regional Corporate Engagement Advisor Cell: 903-720-6366

📌 Railroad Crossing Closure Notice – Cheek & Stone Streets Please be advised that due to ongoing railroad construction, the railroad crossings at Cheek Street and Stone Street will be closed for the entire day today. Alternate routes available include: The Loop Overpass South Pacific Street We appreciate your patience and understanding as this necessary work is completed.

🎶 Music in May is Almost Here! 🎶 We’re now taking pre-orders for our super cute Music in May t-shirts! You don’t want to miss out—these always go fast! 👕 Sizes & Prices: Small–XL: $22 2X–3X: $24 Make sure to grab yours in time to wear it to the first event! Come out and enjoy a fun evening in beautiful downtown Mineola—shop, dine, and connect with our amazing local businesses before the music kicks off at 6:30 p.m. each Thursday in May. Let’s make it a May to remember! 🌟🎤

The Yoga & Hike event hosted by Emma Brian was a wonderful success! A big thank you to Emma for her generosity in offering this experience free of charge to our community. The Mineola Nature Preserve provided the perfect setting for a peaceful and rejuvenating yoga session, followed by a refreshing hike in nature. Due to the amazing turnout and positive feedback, Emma has graciously decided to host another session on Sunday, May 18th at 1:00 p.m. We hope to see you all there again—bring a friend and enjoy the experience together!

We've reschedule the Open @ the Nature Preserve for 2025 a C-tier event for AM's Its Mothers Day weekend. If your a mother come play a free round with us on Friday or Sunday. We'll provide some discs, you provide the fun... If you want to throw a rated round normal fee's will be required but, we'll cover your $15.00 sanctioning fee... [https://www.discgolfscene.com/.../3rd_Annual_Open_at_the...](https://www.discgolfscene.com/.../3rd_Annual_Open_at_the...)

🎉 Happy Birthday, Doris Newman! 🎉 Help us wish the happiest of birthdays to our incredible Main Street Director & Historical Preservation Officer, Doris Newman! 🥳 We had the pleasure of celebrating her today, and word on the street is she’s turning 39 years young (again 😉)! Doris brings passion, dedication, and a love for our community to everything she does. We’re beyond lucky to have her as part of the City of Mineola team. Happy Birthday, Doris! 🎂🎈💐

April's birth flowers, the daisy and sweet pea, bring joy to April-born individuals. Daisies symbolize innocence and purity and have a rich history dating back to ancient Egypt. Sweet peas, with their sweet fragrance, represent delicate pleasure, friendship, and gratitude.

A Little Late, But Never Less Important! We celebrated the birthdays of Lisa Morrison and Justin Clower for our March birthday crew! Honestly, I still don’t know where that month went! We hope you both had fantastic birthdays, and we are so grateful to have you as part of the team here at City Hall!

Join Us for the Pier Dedication at Mineola Nature Preserve! We invite you to the dedication ceremony for Bo's Pier at the Mineola Nature Preserve on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. This pier is being named in honor of former Mineola Mayor, E.F. "Bo" Whitus, whose dedication and hard work transformed the bare river bottom into a beautiful space for all of us to enjoy. Everyone is welcome to attend the dedication ceremony. Afterward, the family will be serving lunch at the Derby Pavilion to celebrate this special occasion. We look forward to seeing you there!

Equestrian Trail Guidelines These guidelines are designed to protect Preserve resources and ensure that visitors have a safe, enjoyable experience. Feed back is encouraged. City of Mineola, P O Box 179 Mineola, TX 75773, 903-569-6183, Fax 903-569-0856 or email: info@mineola.com. > NO HORSES ON RAIL BEDS. > Proof of Negative Coggins will be requested as is required by Texas law. > Trails are open subject to conditions. Call 903-569-6183 to confirm. > For the safety of all, observe and abide by all signage and directions. > If trails are closed due to weather or maintenance, please honor temporary signs. > Horses and riders must remain within designated areas while loading and unloading. > Stay on designated trails. Do not create new trails or diversions. > DO NOT ride on trails restricted to walking, such as railroad bed. > Horses must not be tethered to trees, shrubs, or other than designated park structures. > Please leave the Preserve better than you found it. Use litter barrels. Or pack it in and pack it out. > DOGS must be on leash. Failure to observe these guidelines will be cause for removal from the Preserve and a possible fine.

🎯 Attention Disc Golfers and Disc Golf Enthusiasts!!! 🎯 The Open at The Nature Preserve disc golf tournament is almost here! 🌳 🗓 April 5th & 6th (Flex on April 4th) 📍 Location: Mineola Nature Preserve This event is open to all ages and abilities, so whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, come out and join the fun! 👉 See the flyer for registration details and more info! Don't miss out on the chance to compete and enjoy the beautiful Nature Preserve. 🏆 #MineolaTexas #MineolaNaturePreserve #DiscGolf #OpenAtTheNaturePreserve

🌻 2025 Mineola Farmers Market Kickoff! 🌻 We’re excited to announce that the 2025 Mineola Farmers Market will kick off on May 3 and will run every Saturday through October with brand new hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.! 🎉 We hope these updated hours will be more convenient for those who aren’t early risers on Saturdays, especially for working folks. 💼✨ We’re also encouraging local gardeners to plant with our market in mind! 🌱 If you’ve got room, consider adding an extra row or clearing another plot to help us offer more locally grown fruits 🍓, vegetables 🥕, home-raised eggs 🥚, herbs 🌿, plants 🌸, and cut flowers 🌻. Plus, we’ll have homemade baked goods, home-canned items, and handmade arts & crafts! 🧁🖌️ The market is free to join, and our pavilion is equipped with electricity, lights, and ceiling fans for your comfort. The market is supported by Mineola Main Street, the Marketing & Tourism Department and the City of Mineola. One of our dedicated vendors volunteers to manage the market for us. 🙌 Interested in being a vendor? Please read the application and guidelines on our website and reach out if you have any questions! You can email Doris Newman at mainstreet@mineola.com or call 903-569-6183 for more details. 📧📞 We can’t wait to see you there! Let’s make 2025 the best season yet! 🌞 #MineolaFarmersMarket #ShopLocal #FreshAndLocal #SupportSmallBusiness #FarmFresh #MineolaTexas

🎶 Get Ready for Music in May in Mineola! 🎶 The City of Mineola is gearing up for another amazing Music in May event! 🎤🎸 We're looking for sponsors to help make this event unforgettable! This year's lineup is looking fantastic, with incredible performers taking the stage at the Gazebo. Bring your lawn chair, kick back, and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere and great tunes under the stars. 🌙✨ Before the music kicks off, make sure to grab dinner or do some shopping in our charming historic downtown! 🛍️🍽️ Spend the evening in beautiful Mineola, Texas — the perfect place for music, community, and fun! 🎶🎉 Interested in sponsoring? Reach out to Jennifer Henson at 903-569-6183 or jhenson@mineola.com and be part of this wonderful event! #MusicInMay #MineolaTX #LiveMusic #SupportLocal #HistoricDowntown #SponsorshipOpportunity

UPCOMING COURTHOUSE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION County Judge Kevin White and Wood County Commissioners will honor the centennial of the 1925 Wood County Courthouse at their meeting at 9 a.m., Tuesday, March 18, in Quitman, Texas. Following the meeting, the county historical commission will have displays in the courthouse until 4 p.m. The Wood County Historical Commission’s building will be open from 10 a.m.-noon.

The birth flowers for March are daffodils and jonquils. Daffodils are the primary birth flower for March because they bloom in early spring, marking the beginning of spring. Meaning: New beginnings: Daffodils symbolize new beginnings, happiness, and joy. Hope: Daffodils embody optimism, hopefulness, and the belief in outcomes. Strength: Daffodils represent resilience and the ability to face challenges, with courage.

Join Us for a Community Spring Clean-Up Day! Our esteemed Mayor, Jayne Lankford, is organizing a Community Spring Clean-Up Day, and we need your help to keep our beautiful city looking its best! If you're passionate about making a difference, we invite you to volunteer for this important event. When: Saturday, March 8th, 8:00 AM - Noon Meeting Location: Farmers Market Pavilion (101 W. Front St.) Please bring a 5-gallon bucket and/or a grabber if you have one. Trash bags will be provided for all volunteers. Let's work together to keep our community clean and vibrant! We look forward to seeing you there!