VOLUME III • ISSUE 1 • SPRING 2008

UPDATE A publication Concerning Projects of the vision authority

When Will We See Dirt Fly? Gateway Park It is the question on everyone’s mind and we have the answer. The first building demolition related to the Trinity Full Speed Ahead River Vision project is slated for this July. Watch for the Request for Proposal that will be advertised this May at here’s exciting news for Fort Worth’s ronment. Improvements include the restora- www.trinityrivervision.org. rapidly-growing population of outdoor tion of the Riverside Oxbow Ecosystem, which Tenthusiasts. Eastside’s Gateway Park has preserves 200-year-old trees and will enhance moved even closer to receiving highly an- the existing bottomland hardwood forest. In ticipated improvements that will make it a addition, 72,000 oaks and pecan trees are to regional mecca for open-air activities and a be introduced to the park. valuable addition to the Trinity River Gravel pits will be Master Plan. redeveloped into “There is not a single project in beautiful wetlands The proposal to East Fort Worth that will have a that will serve as a combine Gateway natural backdrop Park’s Master Plan greater immediate and for the equestrian with the Trinity long-term positive impact.” center. An area that Uptown project was Don Boren, President of the West was once a landfill recently endorsed Meadowbrook Neighborhood Association will be modified by the Fort Worth to accommodate a district of the Army sports complex. An Corps of Engineers and formally recommend- abandoned sewage treatment center will be ed for approval to Washington D.C. this past completely removed to provide an ideal loca- March. This win-win association would shave tion for the proposed amphitheater. 30 years from Gateway’s initial timeline and provide the resources necessary to provide “There is not a single project in East Fort expanded recreational and environmental Worth that will have a greater immediate opportunities. and long-term positive impact,” touted Don Boren, president of the West Meadowbrook A rain-free Mayfest experienced record attendance. Once approved, Gateway Park can expect Neighborhood Association. “I can’t wait.” to become the nation’s largest urban-pro- grammed park. At just over 1,000 acres, it The city has already begun to see the benefits Mayfest Sets record for will include amenities such as an outdoor of the Gateway Park Master Plan, including amphitheater, an equestrian center, a disc the award-winning Fort Woof Dog Park and attendance & Fun golf course, a splash park, additional athletic new soccer fields. This year, more people than ever attended the 36th fields, a skate park, a new kayak/canoe course annual Mayfest, presented by Cheseapeake Energy. with four natural white water elements, an ad- “The future of Gateway Park has become ex- Much of the success can be attributed to the fact that ditional 15 miles of trails, covered basketball citing. The proposed recreational and land the festival, which notoriously attracts wet weather, courts and an expansion to the dog park. use changes resulting from the Trinity River enjoyed its first rain-free weekend in seven years. Vision promise to transform the area to a re- “This is an incredible project,” said J.D. gional attraction, to the benefit of all,” Boren In addition to the beautiful weather, Mayfest included Granger, executive director of the Trinity said. a wide array of first-rate family entertainment River Vision Authority. “But we’re not just throughout Trinity Park – including a highly- building a fantastic recreational area; we are Those interested in learning more about anticipated performance from the Grammy-nominated performing a huge ecosystem restoration and Gateway Park improvements are invited Gin Blossoms Saturday night. a massive cleanup.” to stop by the TRV headquarters to tour the new education center or log on to The proposed plan will take major leaps to- http://www.trinityrivervision.org and watch ward upgrading the quality of the area’s envi- the animated 3-D Flyover.

LOOK INSIDE for a larger version of the current Gateway Park plan.

Kids enjoyed the arts and crafts at the TRVA booth. UPDATE VOLUME III • ISSUE 1 • SPRING 2008 Fair Contracting Database Update Learn more about contracting opportunities on the Fort Trinity River History Wall Worth Trinity River Vision Project. Visit www.trinityr- ivervision.org and download the vendor registration packet. By registering in the database you will receive he newest addition to the notifications of all upcoming RFQs as well as notices of TRVA Education Center is pre-bid workshops, networking events, and education- al workshops on certification requirements, bonding, the Trinity River History and general project updates. For additional information T about federal contracting opportunities visit http://ebs. Wall. This new display will take you swf.usace.army.mil or https://www.fbo.gov. through the history of the Trinity River and Fort Worth, from the first settlement days all the way to the formation of the Trinity River Vision Authority. Each newsletter will spotlight a historic event on the History Wall.

The center is located at the TRVA downtown office at 307 aGrave Field, home of the , is the place to be this 4th of July! Project Overview The Fort Worth Cats, City of Fort Worth, Streams & Valleys, and Tarrant West Seventh Street, Suite 100. The Trinity River Master Plan preserves and enhances 88 Regional Water District have collaborated to unveil a new exciting event. Please call 817-698-0700 or e-mail miles of waterways that flow throughout the neighbor- L hoods in Greater Fort Worth. It will create an urban Come experience the Trinity River with family and friends and enjoy an after- [email protected] waterfront community and neighborhood connectivity noon of music and activities on the Trinity River behind LaGrave Field beginning for more information. that promotes strong live, work, and play environments at 4:30 pm. Event admission is free with parking available at the Cats Stadium. to be enjoyed by all ages. The plan utilizes the most The Fort Worth Cats take on the Wichita Wingnuts at 6:05 p.m. Immediately fol- recent storm water management techniques designed for optimal recreational uses raising the quality of life for lowing the game there will be Tarrant County’s largest firework show. Sponsors all citizens in Fort Worth today and generations to come. include Coors Light, Country Legends 92.1 and the The Ranch 95.9.

Gateway Park Recreation Components

◆◆New Soccer and / ◆◆Fishing Softball Fields ◆◆Rowing ◆◆Site Work for Disc Golf and ◆◆Kayak and Canoe with 4 Mountain Bike course white water elements ◆◆Outdoor covered basketball courts Ecosystem Restoration ◆◆Expanded Trail System ◆◆Added 72,000 new trees (15 miles of trails) ◆◆Gravel pits cleaned up to create a ◆◆Splash park beautiful wetland environment ◆◆Dog Park Expansion ◆◆The old landfill will be compacted ◆◆Amphitheater Site Work and and graded for citizens grading to provide the initial desired recreational needs Infrastructure to create outdoor ◆◆Lake and wetland creation in the music venue for Fort Worth old drying beds of the Riverside ◆◆Full loop equestrian trail facility Waste Water Treatment Plant ◆◆Water Sports ◆◆Clean up and return water to the historic Riverside Oxbow

Page 2 Page 3 UPDATE VOLUME III • ISSUE 1 • SPRING 2008 The Trinity Trail’s Newest Trailhead A Special Tribute to the Neighborhood It Shares

COLONIAL SUPPORTS A This trailhead has Trinity River Vision TRAFFIC-FREE ROUTE TO Master Plan Class I amenities: sheltered pic- nic tables, water fountain, cooling misters and 2008 TOURNAMENT restrooms. Special thanks to several key or- “Green” takes on a whole new meaning this year at ganizations: Tarrant Regional Water District Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, as many to-be (property and construction funds), City attendees are opting out of hectic tournament-day of Fort Worth (security lighting), Tarrant traffic and arriving by trail. As the first PGA tournament County (water and paving), and Gary Kutilek to initiate a Go Green! effort, Colonial is partnering (architectural design). with Streams and Valleys to encourage spectators to utilize the 40-mile Trinity Trail system to make the trip A dedication ceremony on December 8th to the links May 24-25. Participants should exit the ocated at 4th Street and Sylvania Avenue, included music by members of the Riverside Tournament Trail and arrive at the Streams and Valleys the Riverside Trailhead is a welcome ad- community, presentation of the public art tent on Rogers Road near Will Call. For each person who Ldition to the Trinity Trails. A knowledge- installation, and ribbon cutting by local walks the Trinity Trail or rides from their home to the able, energetic neighborhood committee — officials. Streams and Valleys tent; the organization receives a Phyllis Allen, Kelly Allen Gray, Erma Johnson $10 contribution from Colonial. Hadley and Sarah Walker — provided valu- able details that allow this trailhead to reflect the character and history of the area. Trinity Trail’s new Riverside A unique public art installation, underwritten trailhead was dedicated with a by Streams and Valleys, is two six-foot panels created by Fort Worth artist Letitia Huckaby, ribbon cutting by local officials, featuring four photographs selected to tell music, and public art display. the story of the Riverside neighborhood. [ ] Trinity River Vision Team Goes On-Air A special Trinity River Vision update show was aired April 12 on 1360 AM – The Biz Radio Network’s “Everything Fort Worth” program, hosted by Shivaun Palmer. The broadcast included a panel comprised of TRVA Executive Director JD Granger, architect Bing Thom, Streams and Valleys, Inc. Executive Director Adelaide Leavens, Fort Worth Chamber’s Vice President of Economic Development David Berzina, Chairman of , Inc. Randy Gideon, developers Tom Struhs and Elizabeth Falconer, Fort Worth Cat’s owner Carl Bell and City Councilman Danny Scarth. In case you missed this in- formative presentation, you can always visit http://www. Dedication turnout was good, with representatives from the Riverside neighborhood committee as well as local and state leaders. trinityrivervision.org and view the entire program online.

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID FORT WORTH, TX UPDATE PERMIT NO. 928

Trinity River Vision Authority 307 West 7th Street • Suite 100 • Fort Worth, Texas • 76102 817-698-0700 • www.trinityrivervision.org

This issue of the Trinity River Vision Update underwritten by Freese & Nichols.