Ecological Efforts
Trinity Strand Trail has added six crepe myrtles and four live oak trees to Turtle Creek Plaza, one of our first trailheads. Prior to construction of the plaza, this area was a neglected portion of the Old Meanders. It is now green urbanism at its best! Interestingly, this piece of land is under one of the largest migratory bird paths in the United States. With Turtle Creek Plaza, it serves as a destination spot for not only bird watchers but also residents who want to learn more about the natural wildlife that exists in our city.
Many features make Turtle Creek Plaza special but we are especially proud of educating neighbors about the history of this community using one of the kiosks in the plaza. Furthermore, we have installed a 14' 7" I-beam representing the height of the Trinity River during the 1908 flood which prompted the re-directing of the river, an interesting—yet mostly unknown—fact about Dallas.
Trinity Strand Trail has added six crepe myrtles and four live oak trees to Turtle Creek Plaza, one of our first trailheads. Prior to construction of the plaza, this area was a neglected portion of the Old Meanders. It is now green urbanism at its best! Interestingly, this piece of land is under one of the largest migratory bird paths in the United States. With Turtle Creek Plaza, it serves as a destination spot for not only bird watchers but also residents who want to learn more about the natural wildlife that exists in our city.
Many features make Turtle Creek Plaza special but we are especially proud of educating neighbors about the history of this community using one of the kiosks in the plaza. Furthermore, we have installed a 14' 7" I-beam representing the height of the Trinity River during the 1908 flood which prompted the re-directing of the river, an interesting—yet mostly unknown—fact about Dallas.
Environmental Restoration Committee
The Trinity Strand Trail is developing an environmental restoration strategy to bring the Old Meanders back to life and restore it to a native North Texas habitat, thereby attracting beneficial wildlife to this urban preserve. Over the years, the path of the river was changed to prevent flooding, leaving Old Meanders isolated and almost unknown to most residents. We plan to make use of this 65 acre gem of hidden green space that exists.
Through cooperative efforts with naturalists, environmental professionals, city staff and interested parties, we plan to create an environment that is enjoyable, educational and beneficial to residents and visitors of Dallas. According to Richard Cheatham, Trinity Strand Trail board member, "Our vision is to create and implement a vision for the restoration of a pre-existing riparian ecosystem using innovative methods and practices to conserve resources, in concert with providing a forum for recreational trail use and the education and promotion of ecological friendly practices in the context of an urban trail system."
Plans for Old Meanders include exploring the use of the channel to provide pollution filtration for storm water runoff, thus improving wildlife habitat and the aesthetic beauty of the area. Additional plans include hands-on educational programs for local schools and organizations to educate Dallas citizens on the importance of ecological restoration and keeping our water clean.
The Trinity Strand Trail is developing an environmental restoration strategy to bring the Old Meanders back to life and restore it to a native North Texas habitat, thereby attracting beneficial wildlife to this urban preserve. Over the years, the path of the river was changed to prevent flooding, leaving Old Meanders isolated and almost unknown to most residents. We plan to make use of this 65 acre gem of hidden green space that exists.
Through cooperative efforts with naturalists, environmental professionals, city staff and interested parties, we plan to create an environment that is enjoyable, educational and beneficial to residents and visitors of Dallas. According to Richard Cheatham, Trinity Strand Trail board member, "Our vision is to create and implement a vision for the restoration of a pre-existing riparian ecosystem using innovative methods and practices to conserve resources, in concert with providing a forum for recreational trail use and the education and promotion of ecological friendly practices in the context of an urban trail system."
Plans for Old Meanders include exploring the use of the channel to provide pollution filtration for storm water runoff, thus improving wildlife habitat and the aesthetic beauty of the area. Additional plans include hands-on educational programs for local schools and organizations to educate Dallas citizens on the importance of ecological restoration and keeping our water clean.
