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What is the Big Deal About Riverside Park and Why Should I Care?
Riverside Park is the Park that runs along Oakhurst Scenic Drive. In the October, 2008, issue of the NRO newsletter, it was stated that we had obtained a copy of a letter sent to the Corps of Engineers on February 12, 2008. This letter was in regards to Riverside Park. The letter, written by the Executive Board of ONA, was “declining” to support a plan to use a portion of the park for flood storage. The park is in a 100 year flood plain. Several residents expressed concern that the general membership of ONA had never received any information and had not been given an opportunity for input on this issue before the letter was sent to the Corps.
Fast forward to where we are now. Our NRO Executive Board, fearing this was an initial step to halt the Trinity River Vision project and stop our area from receiving benefits, sent a letter to the Corp in support of the flood storage plan. So far Fort Worth Park Department has held three meetings in the Riverside area to present and discuss possible uses of the park land. Only a few residents have attended. The second meeting was held in order to accommodate Spanish speaking residents. The Parks department was hoping to get input from the Latino community, who by far are the largest number of residents using the park. However, only about 5 attended. These residents in attendance asked for better soccer fields, more picnic tables, parking, lighting, etc. In the third meeting, the city staff submitted four plans. The first two contained only minimal improvements which would be financed with gas drilling money, the allotment is around $200,000, and would not create a flood storage area.
Two other plans, one referred to as “active” and the other “passive”, were submitted. These plans did include a flood storage area. Initially residents were told that somewhere around $5 million would be spent on the park, which would include federal funding that has already been secured. We will learn more about this at the next meeting. Basically this “active” plan would give us much needed improvements for our park. The plan calls for new soccer fields, one adult and one youth, 2 pavilions, a family pavilion, canoe launching pad, trailhead parking, 8 ft. walking trails, and lots of off road parking spaces.
At the first meeting, some residents requested the city look at acquiring the balance of the land along the river up to Yucca. This would allow the park to be expanded in the future as funding became available. A conceptual plan was included at the third meeting, illustrating what the park might look like adding this land to the Park. The illustration showed baseball fields, a dog park, 8 ft. walking trails and ample parking.
Please allow us to describe the flood storage area. This is NOT a HOLE in the ground. Rather, the soil will be cut down and lowered at the corner of Belknap and Oakhurst Scenic, so that if/when the river floods water will back up into this area and then drain away as the river lowers. You can see an example in a similar, larger area that has been created on Northside Drive where the river passes under the bridge, (across from UPS and close to the old auto pound.) By the way, the auto pound has been moved to Brennan Street, next to our trash drop off station, and the former land will be reclaimed for development.The land the Park department wishes to use for flood storage is and has been used as free parking for the barbeque restaurant across the street. This causes traffic problems since the patrons also park along the curb.
Our neighborhood is a part of the Trinity River Vision. We have been given the opportunity to enhance our neighborhood with amenities that many neighborhoods cannot have. When many people hear the words Trinity River Vision, their minds go to the developing that is happening downtown with the town lake. However, that is just a small portion of what the TRV really is. As stated on the website “The Trinity River Vision is a master plan for 88 miles of the river and tributaries throughout greater Fort Worth. Its purpose is to preserve and enhance the river and its corridors so they remain essential greenways for open space, trails, neighborhood linkages and focal points, wildlife, and special recreations areas.”
Each resident is encouraged to attend the final public meeting on Thursday, February 11, 2010, at 6:30p.m., 620 N. Chandler (corner of Belknap & N. Chandler) and participate in this process. Input from actual park and trail users is needed to help determine the future of this park. All residents have a vested interest in this park.
Information on Riverside Park, as well as Cobb Park and other information can be accessed online. The website is fortworthgov.org, go to departments, click on Park and Community Services and you will see the site to click for “Check out future of Riverside Park” on the right hand side of the screen. You can click on each plan and then enlarge them so you can see the improvements.
*UPDATE* DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER THE FINAL PUBLIC MEETING DATE HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2010.
Oakhurst Neighborhood Redevelopment Organization
OakhurstPlus Newsletter (February 2010)