Housely
The city of Dallas Texas has plans to dedicate a location with over ten thousand acres of land to a project that will create a “Nature District” within the city. This massive undertaking is their way of going green and supporting the health of the environment and caring for the well-being of the planet. The impressive project is already underway with some welcome projects completed and others just getting started.
Location
The plans have been developed to utilize the area that lies within the Trinity River Corridor. It is the most appropriate space within the Dallas area as it lends itself to further development. Although this area is currently undeveloped with the exceptions of the one thousand acres which feature completed phases, engineers have mapped out which areas will feature natural Texas wilderness and which will be tailored for human recreational use. As it stands, there have not been many people wandering into this area because there are huge segments of the land which are inaccessible. This means that the natural ambiance still remains intact. This is the major factor that makes it the best candidate for the Nature District.
Projections
In comparison, the completed project will be ten times the size of New York’s famous Central Park. This will create a new wonder in the state of Texas that is likely to draw in throngs of guests and visitors who are curious about the new park. There are three main projects which are set to serve as the main attractions for the Nature District. The plans include building the Trinity River Park and enhancing it as a public attraction. The park will give locals and tourists a large developed area for outings, concert venues and other specialty events.
Haven for golf enthusiasts
One thousand acres have already been developed and one of the components is the Trinity Forest Golf Club. This course features eighteen holes with all of the traditional amenities that one would expect to find in a club setting for the sport. This popular recreational sport is certain to attract players from around the globe.
Texas Horse Park
Another project which has already been completed is the Texas Horse Park. This area has been designed specifically for horse and rider to provide safe and useful riding trails. It offers the space in a natural, yet developed setting for riding and enjoyment of nature in a beautiful setting.
Trinity River Audubon Center
The Audubon Center was completed in 2008 and has been in operation since that time. It has served as an excellent educational resource for children in the area. It is estimated that more than twenty five thousand children per year come through the center to learn about environmental science.
Off to a good start
With four projects already completed, the Nature District is well on its way. It looks like they have a lot of work to do in the future. With just one thousand of the ten thousand acre space earmarked for development, they’ve really only just begun in this massive revitalization project. The architects in charge of design of the park are Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates They are charged with the transformation of a large flood plain.
The first step will be to control flooding potential and hazards on the property so it will be resistant to damage from heavy or intense rainy periods. The plans include creating networks of nature trails for hikes and walkers, large playground areas and several open lawn areas. Funding is coming in and the group was given fifty million dollars in donations near the end of October. There are plans to install a bike path which will extend from the downtown area of Dallas through the park in the summer of 2017. This will complete yet another phase of the massive Nature District and park system.
Nearing the end of the project
The final phase of development for the Nature District will be the completion of the Trinity Strand Trail. This will be the main trail and it will connect a network of trails which are estimated to include a minimum of seventy three miles of trails. Last summer was exciting as several of the trails were already completed and opened up for visitor to use and enjoy. Upon completion the Katy Trail will connect with the Trinity River offering some outstanding views and plenty of space that will accommodate thousands of guests and visitors. The sheer size of the project alone guarantees that there will be plenty of open space available for special events and large gatherings for a variety of different purposes.
The future of the Nature District
As we look at other large venues which are designed to add a touch of nature to the core of larger metropolitan areas, there is an excitement. New York’s Central Park is used as a comparison, but with a mass that will conclude with an area that is ten times as large, it’s difficult to imagine just how magnificent the Nature District will be or how much expansion will occur within the next decade. Dallas has a lot to look forward to and they’re off to a great start already enjoying the areas which have been developed.
Final thoughts
The Nature District of Dallas is perhaps one of the greatest undertakings that has been taken with regard to nurturing the earth’s delicate environment and ecosystem. In addition to promoting a healthier planet, it will give people an escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city. A chance to get away and participate in outdoor activities including horseback riding on the designated trails and hiking through the network of developed areas will give residents a place to go to unwind and get back to nature. We see the tremendous potential for the project to help the local economy as well. It will be one of the most novel tourist attractions in the state, and there are bound to be hundreds of thousands of curious visitors who flood the area and support the local businesses while they’re in Dallas.
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