Friday, Jul. 18, 2008
PALS Board Approves Park Designs
By Adrian McCandless
Staff Writer
Unanimous approval for plans of undeveloped park properties by the Parks, Arts and Library Services [PALS] Board resulted in mixed feelings from residents last week.
Designer Dunway Associates representative Larry O’Flinn said the Wilson, Ruff, Carmel and Braden Tracts’ amenities include: a 15-acre botanical garden; a 5-acre dog park; a 12-acre conservation area; amphitheater with 3,000 fixed and lawn seating; practice soccer and baseball infields; and, a nine station batting cage.
The undeveloped park properties on the Wilson, Carmel, Ruff and Braden Tracts are located north of Spinks Road and west of Duncan Lane.
"This is absolutely the most exciting thing we have done," Board member John Thomas said. "I can’t think of another park in this area that will even come close."
Adjacent Baker’s Branch Estates resident Amy Brown said she was concerned about the security of trails located south of the Baker’s Branch Estates.
"My home backs up to the future botanical garden and I feel concerned there will be a lot of foot traffic with access to the back of our homes," Brown said.
Many of the trail systems in Flower Mound back up to resident’s homes Thomas said.
"They are just like any other people on the 31-miles of trail whose homes back up to a trail," Thomas said. "There has not been a security issue because of it."
Flower Mound Parks and Recreation Director Jack Jones said.plans for a fire station just south of Baker’s Branch Estates will be added security.
Brown said she was also concerned about the slow process of tearing down an old farm house located on the Wilson Tract.
"We have kids from the neighborhood back there messing around and we would like to see this issue pushed forward," Brown said.
Jones said plans are in the works to get the Wilson tract cleaned up.
"We have $300,000 in this year’s budget to clean up the Wilson Tract," Jones said. "It will take some time because there are all kinds of trash, debris and probably some surprises back there."
Resident of Baker’s Branch Estates Kathleen Craig said she originally did not like the plans for the Wilson, Ruff and Carmel Tracts, but said she has now come full-circle.
"I am truly amazed how well you [the Pals Board] have listened to what we have wanted," Craig said.
Although impressed with many elements of the design, Craig said she is concerned about picnic areas planned for the Wilson Tract.
"There are a lot of raccoons, snakes and a pack of coyotes that still live back there … if the picnic areas are not picked up, we will have all of those rodents up against the back of our fence," Craig said.
Jones said after the parks are constructed, there would be no reason why the city wouldn’t keep the areas clean.
Resident Elizabeth Covington said she is thrilled a dog park is in the works for Flower Mound.
"Everyone knows about my obsession with the dog park. I want it badly and my dog wants it badly," Covington said. "This whole concept is something I think future generations can be proud of."
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