ROCKWALL COUNTY, TX (Dec. 30, 2014) In preparation for an impending wave of growth, Rockwall County Commissioners Court contracted with the consulting team of VERDUNITY and WRT for an Open Space Master Plan (OSMP) that will consolidate plans from each of the cities into a countywide master plan and implementation guide.
The Rockwall County Open Space Alliance (RCOSA) is the driving force behind this project. Formed in 2012 and patterned after the countywide Traffic Consortium, RCOSA was created to lead an open space planning and preservation initiative.
A RCOSA spokesman says, “We bring all the cities together for discussions and planning to ensure that parks, open spaces, greenways, and trails connect across city boundaries.” The group also wants to preserve quality storm water corridors and explore the need for a major preserve/public amenity that could potentially be developed in the future and be available to all Rockwall County citizens.
The project kicks off the week of January 19th with a public meeting from 6-8pm on January 22nd in the Jury Room of the Rockwall County Courthouse, 1111 East Yellow Jacket Lane, Rockwall. In addition to the public meeting and focus groups, citizens, local businesses and other interested parties will be able to comment and make input throughout the process using online surveys, social media and various websites.
According to experts, one of the critical components of a fiscally and environmentally resilient community is the strategic placement of engaging public spaces connected by safe, walkable networks of trails, bike paths and natural areas. Studies are showing these types of environments elevate and maintain surrounding property values, and support the types of businesses and living environments that today’s young professionals, suburban families and senior citizens are all looking for.
Upon completion the county and cities will use the OSMP as a guide to designate open spaces and identify corridors for future recreational areas and trail connections. This will be a valuable tool for planners as land inside and outside city boundaries develops.
The OSMP will consolidate the existing and proposed plans from each of the cities into a countywide master plan that can be utilized as a guide by the County and individual cities to preserve and protect natural systems and designate open spaces and corridors for future recreational considerations and trail connections throughout the county.
According to Kevin Shepherd, principal of VERDUNITY, “While other communities in North Texas are spending significant dollars to acquire more park land and retrofit existing development with open space and trails, Rockwall County has a unique opportunity to leverage its natural assets and open space into new development in a manner that positions each of our communities for a long-term, fiscally sustainable future, while continuing to preserve the natural environment and quality of life residents and businesses have come to expect. “
For additional information about the project or to volunteer for a committee or stakeholder group, please contact RCOSA Vice-Chair Nell Welborn at nwelborn@sbcglobal.net or the consultant’s project manager, Kevin Shepherd at kevin@verdunity.com. Details will also be posted at rockwallosa.org.
Submitted by Nell Welborn, RCOSA Vice Chair.
To share your good news and events, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.
Please click here to LIKE our Facebook page, so we can reach more people with good news like this!
Rockwall countywide plan aims to keep the green in our growth added by Editor on
View all posts by Editor →