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A vision for county: trails, parks
Published Thursday, October 12, 2006
By Skip Nichols
Imagine a 51-mile corridor of trails, open spaces and parks throughout Wise County, connecting the county’s natural resources with Tarrant County and the Metroplex.
That’s the vision of a group of Wise County leaders, who hope to turn the vision into reality with financial support from the state and federal government, as well as business and individual backers.
Jerry Frank, one of the developers of Aurora Vista and a member of the Wise County Long Range Planning Committee, told Wise County Commissioners of the vision Monday. The dream got a unanimous vote of support from the county’s leaders.
Frank said a subcommittee of the planning group was launching “an awareness campaign” as a way to preserve open space and make the region and state aware of Wise County’s natural resources.
“Now is the time to begin this effort,” Frank said. “There is a political will to look at conservation and recreation.”
He specifically mentioned Gov. Rick Perry’s support for parks within an hour of the major cities, including Dallas and Fort Worth. That puts a spotlight on Wise County and provides an opportunity for ecotourism, Frank said. Perry has also authorized up to $30 million to “develop a comprehensive water flow model ... improve water quality, enhance wildlife habitant and expand ecotourism opportunities in the Trinity River Basin ...”
The Trinity River begins in the northwest corner of Wise County and cuts diagonally across the county before flowing into Tarrant County.
Frank said the group would seek funding from the federal and state governments, as well as grants and cash from private donors, to “accomplish the vision we have.”
Frank said keeping the Trinity River watershed clean and pristine is an important incentive for Fort Worth and Tarrant County to support open space efforts in Wise County.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Robert Rankin was impressed.
“That was an excellent presentation,” Rankin said. “We appreciate your work.”
Precinct 3 Commissioner Mikel Richardson added his support and thanks for the group’s efforts.
Frank also added that the flood plain preservation and open space concept would be “on a voluntary basis and would not involve any eminent domain issues.” Eminent domain is the appropriation of private land for public use.
Participants would receive tax breaks and other “value added” incentives, he said.
“Anyone who elects not to participate – that is their choice,” Frank said.
Jim Joling, chairman of the long-range committee, said the group would go to each city in the county to share the vision and seek “unified support.”
Monday evening, the group gave the presentation to the Decatur City Council, which also added its unanimous support.
“I certainly commend you for taking the lead,” said Decatur Mayor Joe Lambert. “This will be extremely valuable to the city and the county.”
Frank said Tuesday that the preservation and park plan has gotten an overwhelmingly positive response.
“Citizens and leaders are taking ownership,” he said. “It’s wonderful.”
In other business, commissioners:
- voted 4-1 to move indigent health care under the supervision of Charles Dillard, the Emergency Medical Service director, and move the office to the EMS building. Judge Dick Chase opposed the move. Later in the day, the two indigent health care employees reportedly packed up and walked off the job. The county is currently reviewing applications for a new indigent health care director.
- approved splitting the county court-at-law’s excess payment – $17,362– between Judge Melton Cude and his staff as required under a settlement reached earlier this year.
- learned that the county brought in $1.6 million in excess revenue during the 2005-2006 budget year. Auditor Ann McCuiston recommended moving it to the county’s reserve account. Richardson said a decision would be made “later.”
- agreed to meet again Monday, Oct. 16, at 9 a.m. in the third-floor jury room.
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