Protect The Trinity Trails
A coalition of citizens working to protect a unique asset: The Trinity Trails of Fort Worth, TX
The Trinity Trails are one of Fort Worth’s treasures providing exercise, recreation, and enjoyment in a natural or semi-natural setting for all residents of our city. They extend along the Clear and West forks of the Trinity River from Benbrook to Gateway Park and beyond, and from NW Fort Worth to the Stockyards.
Although some of the trails pass through city parks most do not. The trail system is often on private property, much of it belonging to the Tarrant Regional Water District.
Why the need to protect?
The Trinity Trails are currently under pressure from gas companies seeking to drill in the Barnett Shale, a 21 county gas field. Much drilling activity is now focused in Fort Worth, with unprecedented industrial development in all neighborhoods of our city regardless of zoning designation.
The Fort Worth gas drilling task force has looked at the need to protect the Trinity Trails as an asset but currently it has not done so. The issue will be revisited before the task force completes its work at the end of September 2008.
The Trinity River Vision has contracted with Gideon Toal to conduct a design guideline study of the Trinity Trails. They have agreed to include the effects of gas drilling on the trails. This study will not be completed until late 2008, early 2009.
Our current initiative: The Greenwood Memorial Park Lease
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Chesapeake Energy is seeking to drill up to 12 high impact gas wells in the old growth woodland, which is part of Greenwood Memorial Park, between Bailey St and University along the Trinity River.
This plan will involve removing the heart of this woodland that has been designated as a bird sanctuary for decades. The pad site is within 75 feet of a city park and close to the quiet Crestwood neighborhood. The country lane that now passes through the area will be replaced by an industrial road for trucks that will also pass through the local neighborhood.
For a number of reasons this is an inappropriate usage in such a quiet, unspoiled, and sensitive area. The gas drilling permit came before council on August 5 and a continuance was granted until September 9.
LATEST NEWS No agreement could be found by the city council as to an appropriate site or transportation route at the September 9th meeting. The application was therefore postponed until it is to be brought before council on January 6th 2009. This was to give time for further discussion, to hear the recommendations of the gas drilling task force and hear the results of the Gideon Toal report on the Trinity Trails. Vigilance is needed to protect this city asset from inapproprite development. Ancient trees, quiet spaces, green lungs, natural beauty and wildlife are essential components of a liveable city and must be saved for our and our children's recreation and spiritual nourishment.
Protect the Trinity Trails is calling for alternative sites and transportation routes to be considered to protect this woodland, the trails, and the neighborhood.
Please consider signing the petition opposing the high impact pad and well in Greenwood Memorial Park.
You can click the link below to look over the petition. If you agree with our initiative, print off the petition, sign it, and e-mail it back to us! Don't forget to pass it around to friends, family members, and co-workers as well! Thank you for your support!