Dallas’ Trinity Trust updates us on progress

by John P. Meyer

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With ongoing projects ranging from bridge building to urban design to wakeboarding water parks, there was a lot to talk about -- and a lot of experts on hand to do the talking.

Dr. Gail Thomas, president of the Trinity Trust Foundation, welcomed several dozen invited guests, including media representatives, to their offices in Dallas' Design District for a lunch that included a presentation about their ongoing projects. Of which there are many.

The presentation was done roundtable style, with a leadership person from each area giving a two- to four-minute verbal rundown on what's happening in the project under their purview. To wit:

Larry Beasley, special advisor to Dallas CityDesign Studio, started off by telling us how that entity (housed in the main lobby of Dallas City Hall, under the patronage of Mayor Tom Leppert and City Manager Mary K. Suhm) intends to "raise the bar for urban design excellence in Dallas." They intend to do so by focusing their design work along the Trinity River corridor so that it spreads out into the city around it. (In a rather osmosis-like fashion.)

Sustainability is a key focus of their grand urban design scenario, while West Dallas -- described by Beasley as a "forgotten area" -- is receiving special attention. This is due to the fact that the bridges under development (the new Margaret Hunt Hill, and the conversion of Continental to a pedestrian-only span) find their terminus (or, depending upon one's viewpoint, their origin) in that part of the city. In August, a CityDesign Studio team held a "dreaming session" with residents, developers, and investors. A primary concern is the preservation of the La Bajada neighborhood.

It's envisioned that the area bounded by the levees, Sylvan, and I-30 will harbor a new residential development geared at middle income buyers. This newly-created neighborhood will house about 5,000-6,000 people. The intent is that artists and craftsmen will be able to live where they work.

Next to speak was Don Raines of Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC -- the design firm behind the Trinity Lakes Project. Don spoke of the Continental Bridge refurbishment in terms of its becoming a destination for special events and "passive activity." Raines anticipates that the bridge will become a marvelous vantage point for looking out over the various Trinity projects as they are developed and built, and -- afterwards -- a great place to take in the grand scope of the Trinity Lakes corridor.

Raines stated that the pedestrian conversion of Continental will begin as soon as it has been decommissioned by TxDOT following completion of the Margaret Hunt Hill bridge.

Craig Holcomb, executive director of the Trinity Commons Foundation, spoke next, serving up the freshest news of the day by proclaiming that the first weekend in March will mark the first annual Trinity Weekend.

On March 5, Ambassador (and ex Dallas mayor) Ron Kirk is set to speak at the Trinity Commons' annual luncheon to be held at the Anatole. On March 6, the sixth annual Trinity River Levee Run will be held. The route has been cannily selected to take runners across the Continental Bridge, so they'll have an opportunity to view the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge under construction. (Because, as Holcomb puts it, "seeing is better than anything else.") Last year, 600 runners participated in the event.

New this year will be a canoe race, with boats launching from Trinity View Park (off of Irving Blvd.) and finishing at Trammel Crow Park. Officials are expecting 50-60 boats to participate in the race.

Holcomb also spoke about a South Dallas neighborhood education initiative, regarding which he stated that "grassroots support and grassroots knowledge is essential." He went on to talk about the Trinity Commons' alliance with other organizations and individuals throughout the country who have "levee interests," specifically in regard to flood control.

Ben Casey, Jr. took the ersatz podium to tell us about Trinity Horse Park, the master plan for which has now been completed. The park will encompass almost 500 acres in close proximity to the Audubon Center. The majority of the land has already been acquired, and the developers' first annual fundraiser -- "Saddles in the City" -- proved to be "very successful," according to Casey.

A key component of the Horse Park will be its outreach initiative. At an existing private facility, they held their third annual "Bells and Bridles" event this past December, which was attended by children from Big Brothers and Big Sisters. The kids got a chance to ride horses and watch demonstrations put on by Dallas area Buffalo Soldiers.

During a hands-on lesson involving horse anatomy, one unfortunate equine "volunteer" ended up covered in sticky notes -- labeled, for instance, "Hock," "Fetlock," and "Stifle."

In 2010, the Horse Park's focus will be on construction and fundraising.

Shelly White, executive director of the Trinity Strand Trail, stepped up to give us some insight into her area of expertise. When completed, the Strand Trail will follow along the old Trinity watercourse, making use of about 65 acres of green space that is currently lying dormant. It will serve as a connector between the Katy Trail and the Trinity River project.

The Strand folks held their Jingle Bell Run this past December, partnering with the Dallas Mavericks Foundation; 2,400 runners participated.

Groundwork Dallas was represented by both Casie Pierce and Peter Peyton. This organization works with the city to build trails, which provides for lots of volunteer opportunities. "We rely on these volunteers to get the trails built," said Pierce.

Once again, community outreach emerged as a theme, with "green connect" courses designed to engage local residents, particularly in South Dallas. Peyton, designated field outreach guy, grew up in Dallas but has only recently moved back to his home town; he's been on the job with Groundwork Dallas for just three weeks.

As Peyton sees it, their mandate is to create "opportunities for Dallas residents to build a lasting legacy for future generations of Dallas residents." There are three keys to making this happen:

1) Workday sponsorship programs, allowing area restaurants to sponsor a workday. The sponsoring business supplies snacks, and then everyone goes to the sponsor's restaurant for dinner after a day in the field.

2) Curriculum development brainstorming with public and private schools, to develop educational outreach programs to get kids out of the classrooms and onto the trails. Their exposure to natural areas, it is thought, will promote stewardship.

3) Volunteer opportunities: "We're approaching churches and classrooms and corporations," said Peyton, hoping to identify some who are interested in a hands-on approach to the Trinity Forest project. "Kind of like the adopt-a-highway program, only it's adopt-a-trail."

Chris Culak with the Trinity River Audubon Center brought us up to date on the Center's progress; it's been open for about 18 months, and their biggest success so far has been the large number of school children who have visited the place and thereby gotten an idea of the scope of the Trinity Forest.

"The hope is they will ultimately become more conservation-minded," said Culak.

Between October 2008 and May 2009, about 8,000 students visited the facility. "This (school) year we'll see well over 16,000," Culak predicts.

The majority of students visiting the Audubon Center come from DISD schools. For some of them, it's their first chance to see a river up close.

Victor Toledo of Dallas Watersports closed the session by telling us how his company is preparing to introduce the sport of wakeboarding to landlocked Big D. The new watersports complex will include four cable pulley systems to whip boarders into a white water frenzy. (In a good way.)

For those having trouble visualizing what it will be like, here's video on the Dallas Watersports website.

The watersports complex will be located on Fishtrap Lake, and will tie directly into the Trinity River. It'll be a 5,000 square foot venue with a restaurant and fountains when completed, and will be capable of serving around 500-600 wakeboarders per day.

Toledo says he need 15 permits to break ground; he's got 13 of 'em nailed down, and expects the park to be open in April. You can see their first cable system in operation at the boat show right now.

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