Open Space Alliance promotes conservation of Rockwall County’s natural resources

ROCKWALL COUNTY, TX. (June 25, 2015) Covering only 147 square miles, it’s a well known fact that Rockwall is the smallest county in Texas. Residents also recognize that the last half of the 20^th century has brought many changes to this historically agricultural area. Its desirable location outside the ever-growingDallas metropolitan area also brings growth.

For a small group of volunteers, there is a heightened awareness that the county stands to lose the very things that attracted residents here in the first place: green spaces, rural character, and traditional way of life. As development and demand for housing grow, they believe the people of Rockwall must decide whether to protect and preserve the county’s natural heritage.

This is the situation facing the Rockwall County Open Space Alliance (RCOSA), a coalition of representatives from the Cities of Heath, Royse City, Fate, Rockwall, Rowlett, and McLendon-Chisholm, and the unincorporated parts of Rockwall County.

Formed as an outgrowth of the 2011 Master Planning exercise, the Open Space Alliance is an umbrella organization that brings together representatives from all areas of Rockwall County to discuss common open space issues and goals, and determine plans of action. They feel the urgency to this mission as greenbelts disappear to the pressures of development and growth.

Bob DeJean, chair of the RCOSA points out, “More than 10 jurisdictions are responsible for planning, regulating, and managing Rockwall County. They include federal, state, and county agencies, as well as several municipalities. Some cities are already engaged in open space planning, adopting parkland dedication ordinances, developing park and recreation advisory boards, and establishing parks, trails and recreation programs.”

RCOSA was formed to giveRockwallCountyan opportunity to better coordinate these land conservation efforts, creating one countywide vision for open space planning and ensuring that parks, open spaces, greenways, and trails connect across municipal boundaries.

There are a wealth of natural resources to protect, from lakes and streams to rural farms and ranches to vibrant prairie ecosystems. The county has an opportunity to increase its protected open space, enhance its green infrastructure, and ensure a livable community for generations to come.

More information can be found on the RCOSA website.  To participate in a discussion about open space needs and priorities, see openspacealliance.com or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/rockwallopenspace.

Submitted by Nell Welborn, RCOSA co-founder and member of the Executive Committee.

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