Quitman Lake Fork Kiwanis Club members celebrated their 28th anniversary by braving some mud on Wednesday, March 27 as they gathered at the future site of Quitman’s Dog Park to dedicate a bridge on the walking path to original club charter member RT Bridges.

Club President Cyndi Lorton, with the help of Mayor Randy Dunn, unveiled a sign dedicating the bridge in honor of Bridges’ commitment to the Kiwanis Club and the city of Quitman.

Dunn thanked Bridges for all of his hard work and dedication over the years, while serving as the city secretary and then later with Bridges’ volunteer work. Dunn is impressed by all that Bridges has accomplished over the years in the community with the creation of the Kiwanis Club and Lake Country Classic Car Club and referred to Bridges as “a very special citizen of Quitman.” 

According to Kiwanis Club Secretary Joanne Wisdom, the walking trail has been a long-time dream of Bridges’. The dog park and walking trail is part of a plan to develop a walking and cycling trail that will begin at Quitman City Park and will follow a path to UT Health Hospital, by the Quitman Elementary and High School campuses and ending around Quitman City Pool and the Quitman Youth Foundation. This trail is expected to be about two miles long and will include scenic views from wooded areas, as well as road rights-of-way. Spearheaded by the Kiwanis Club, the trail will be developed in phases and will receive some of its funding from the Quitman Lake Country Charitable Foundation.

The club has been clearing land at the Goldsmith-Morse addition and working to create a dog park to be located off Elaine Dr. The new bridge is a feature of the dog park, along with picnic benches and plenty of room and wooded area for dogs to explore and enjoy.

Wisdom said, “When it came time to make this dedication for the bridge to the dog park section of the trail, there was no doubt that it should go to RT Bridges. His hard work and dedication to the club have made everything that we do possible.”

In addition to being a charter member, Bridges has also served as club president and according to Wisdom, Bridges has “been a guiding influence in the club’s mission of helping the children in our community.”

Dunn added that “everyone in our community sees what all of our great civic clubs like the Kiwanis do to help Quitman and make living here full of activity.” 

Bridges said in a recent interview that he was proud of the work the club has done and that the bridge named in his honor “will be here long after we’re all gone.”