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Protect the Trinity Trails
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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.
Currently, although the trails are one of Fort Worth's greatest assets, they are not a protected one. In fact the current city ordinance on gas drilling in Fort Worth does not include the trails as assets to be safeguarded inspite of a minority report of the second gas drilling task force recommending such protection.
The Greenwood Memorial Park Lease
After about 8 months of discussion by the city council and numerous constituents the Fort Worth city council members voted unanimously to grant a waiver to allow Chesapeake Energy to drill up to twelve gas wells in the old growth woodlands which is part of the Greenwood Memorial Park and allow truck traffic through in part of the Rockwood Park along a park road, currently closed to vehicular traffic. This permit is contingent upon the Corps of Engineers and the Tarrant County Water District granting permission to install a below river pipe to take the contaminated water from the proposed site under the Trinity River.
Precedent Setting
The city has set a precedent by allowing industrial usage in a city park. This means that no city park is now safe from inappropriate usage. Also, according to the Texas Health & Safety Code it is illegal to use a cemetery for anything other than burials and related purposes, without going through district court to dedicate the land. Currently this has not been done.
If this site is developed it will involve removing the heart of an ancient bottomland forest which for decades has been designated as a bird sanctuary. It will also impact both Rockwood Park and Crestwood Park through heavy use by industrial traffic. Ancient trees, wildlife, the quiet enjoyment of parkland and trails, the sanctity of a natural setting close to downtown are all threatened by this inappropriate industrial use.
Petitions
Two petitions, one collected by the Protect the Trinity Trails coalition, the other by residents of the local Crestwood Neighborhood, were given to the City Council. A total of 500 people opposed the granting of a waiver. And yet it was granted.
It's not too late to stop this degrading of our city. Email ProtectTheTrinityTrails@gmail.com with your thoughts.
The Future
The struggle to protect the trails and keep Fort Worth a livable city is far from over. Well sites continue to invade the inner city without regard to zoning. The city provides no protection to parks, neighborhoods, the trails, cemeteries or any other usage.
Does this make sense?
None of us know the long term damage that gas drilling in an urban area can do. No environmental impact study has ever been conducted. Water pollution, public safety, damage to parks and natural areas, and the degrading of the livability of our city are all huge issues that have not been addressed.
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