Cotton Belt Corridor Regional Rail Project Final Environmental Impact Statement

Appendix B

Technical Memoranda and

Reports

Technical memoranda and reports were prepared as independent documents to support the preparation of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Cotton Belt Corridor Regional Rail Project. Information from these documents was incorporated into the FEIS to provide information on existing conditions, and in some cases assess potential impacts to the resources. Information contained in the FEIS is the most current and supersedes information in the technical memoranda and reports

Cotton Belt Corridor Regional Rail Project Final Environmental Impact Statement

B-4

Parks and Recreational

Facilities Technical

Memorandum

MEMO

Date: Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Project: Task Order 32, Cotton Belt Corridor PE/EIS

To: John Hoppie, Project Manager, DART Capital Planning

From: Tom Shelton, GPC6 Program Manager

Subject: DART GPC VI; Contract Number: C-2012668; Cotton Belt Existing Park and Recreational Facilities

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this Technical Memorandum is to identify and document the parks and recreational

facilities within the Cotton Belt Corridor Regional Rail (Cotton Belt Project) study area. Upon

identification, potential adverse impacts to the community resources that may result from proposed

project activities can be minimized or avoided.

2.0 OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the proposed project is to provide passengers with a rail transit having service and

connections which improve mobility, accessibility and system linkages to major employment, population

and activity centers in the northern part of the DART Service Area.

3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The 26.2-mile Cotton Belt Project is located between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW

Airport) and just east of the DART Red Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) corridor in Plano and Richardson,

Texas. The Cotton Belt Project would be within Cotton Belt Corridor Regional Rail Project right-of-way

(ROW) purchased by DART in 1990 and designated as a preserved corridor for future passenger rail

service. The Cotton Belt Project traverses through the cities of Coppell, Carrollton, Addison, Dallas,

Richardson, and Plano and would provide service to DFW Airport and the University of Texas at Dallas

(UTD).

The Cotton Belt Project would interface with three of DART’s LRT lines: the Red Line in

Richardson/Plano; the Green Line in Carrollton; and the Orange Line at DFW Airport. The proposed

project would also provide a connection from DFW to the Fort Worth Transit Authority’s TEX Rail

Regional Rail Line and then to Fort Worth and the DFW Airport Skylink People Mover. The Cotton Belt

Project would operate in conjunction with continued freight rail service; however, the proposed project

would not include areas where freight rail service has been previously abandoned (i.e., North Dallas

Area: Knoll Trail Drive in Dallas to Renner Village in Richardson).

4.0 REGULATORY CONTEXT

Although the Cotton Belt Project is not a federally funded project at this time, data collection and

analysis efforts were in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) standards. NEPA

guidelines require that adverse effects on environmental resources from a proposed federally funded

project be identified and avoided or minimized, including potential impacts to the human environment

and social interactions.

In accordance with Section 4(f) of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Act of 1966,

as amended (49 USC 303), requires that use of publicly-owned parks and recreational facilities be

avoided when planning transportation projects, unless no other feasible or prudent alternatives exist.

Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act states that parks developed or

improved using LWCF grant monies cannot be acquired unless no other reasonable and feasible

alternative exists and without coordination with the National Park Service (NPS). Chapter 26 of the

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Code states that a state agency, county, or municipality

cannot approve a project that would require the use or taking of a public park or recreational land

unless it is determined that no feasible or prudent alternative exists, adverse impacts have been

minimized through the planning process, and a public hearing is held regarding the proposed use.

DART policies require that the potential impacts of any proposed project (whether federally or locally

funded) be assessed, and if adverse effects are found, that these impacts be avoided, or minimized and

mitigated. As described in DART’s Environmental Impact Assessment and Mitigation Guidelines for

Transit Projects, project design and operating procedures must comply with all federal, state, county,

and municipal statutory requirements and take into account advisory group safety recommendations.

Security designs are also addressed in DART LRT Project Design Criteria Manual, Volume No. 1

(Infrastructure Design Criteria) (DART 2011).

Pursuant to Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety

Risks (EPA 2017), federal agencies are directed, as appropriate and consistent with the agency’s mission,

to make it a high priority to identify and assess environmental health risks and safety risks that may

disproportionately affect children.

5.0 METHODOLOGY

For the purposes of the Cotton Belt Project, the project study area this report has been determined to

include a one-quarter mile buffer on either side of the proposed rail corridor and a one-half mile radius

around each of the proposed station locations. Park and trail facilities were identified using the most

current data from each city’s website along with GIS data obtained from the North Central Texas Council

of Governments (NCTCOG). The collected facility data was used as a baseline and compared with data

gathered during field reconnaissance and aerial photography reviews. The Cotton Belt Project study

area is shown in Figure 5-1.

The project study area alignment begins at a point near DFW Airport in Grapevine, extends through

Coppell, Carrollton, Addison, Dallas, Richardson, and terminates near Shiloh Road in Plano, just east of

US 75. The Cotton Belt Study Area, which is defined as one-quarter mile on either side of the proposed

corridor and one-half mile radius around each of the proposed station locations. The Cotton Belt

Corridor pre-dates all listed facilities in the project study area. The most recent data from each city’s

website and GIS data obtained from the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) was

used as a basis for the inventory of existing park and recreational trails and supplemented with data

gathered during field reconnaissance and a review of aerial photography.

5.1 Parks and Recreational Facilities

The information provided in the following sections identifies parks, recreational facilities, and trails

located within the defined study area. Facilities determined as 6(f) facilities as well as any historic sites

known to date that would be protected under Section 4(f) of the USDOT Act of 1966, as amended are

identified. The NCTCOG defines park and recreational facilities land use as “Dedicated Parks” which

might include public and private parks, golf courses, cemeteries, public and private tennis courts and

swimming pools, and amusement parks. Figures 5-2 to 5-5 shows the location of each inventoried

facility along the Cotton Belt Corridor study area.

5.2 Publicly Owned Parks and Recreational Facilities

This section describes public parks and recreational facilities that are found within the defined study

area of the Cotton Belt Corridor. Table 5-1 provides a list of publicly owned parks, trails, and

recreational facilities within the Cotton Belt Project study area.

Table 5-1

Publicly Owned Parks and Recreational Facilities Inventory

Facility Name Address City

Proximity to

Station or

Alignment

Description

Included

on

Regional

Veloweb

Coppell

Grapevine Creek

Park 600 South Moore Road Coppell

Station,

Alignment Park -

Grapevine Springs

Park Preserve and

Trail

700 South Park Road Coppell Station,

Alignment

City/County

Park No

Carrollton

A. W. Perry

Homestead

Museum

1509 North Perry Road Carrollton Alignment Park -

Dimension Tract 1199 Elm Park Drive Carrollton Alignment Park -

Downtown City

Square Park and

Gazebo

1103 west 3rd (Main and

Broadway) Carrollton

Station,

Alignment Park -

Elm Fork Nature

Preserve 2335 Sandy Lake Road Carrollton Alignment

City/County

Park -

Elm Fork Nature

Preserve Trail 2335 Sandy Lake Road Carrollton Alignment Trail Yes

Francis Perry Park 1400 Francis and Ross Carrollton Station Park -

Gravley Park 1508 North Perry Road Carrollton Alignment Park -

Gravley Park Loop 1508 North Perry Road Carrollton Alignment Trail No

Hutton Branch

Purple Trail

Steenson Park to Kelly

Boulevard Carrollton Alignment Trail No

Josey Ranch Lake

Park

Greenbelt is East of North

Josey Lane; Surrounds Josey

Park Estates

Carrollton Alignment Park/Trail No

Kelly Athletic Field 2000 Kelly Boulevard Carrollton Alignment Park -

Pioneer Park 1001 West Main Street

(Carroll and Main Street) Carrollton

Station,

Alignment Park -

R. E. Good Sports

Complex 2335 Sandy Lake Road Carrollton Alignment Park -

Table 5-1

Publicly Owned Parks and Recreational Facilities Inventory

Facility Name Address City

Proximity to

Station or

Alignment

Description

Included

on

Regional

Veloweb

McInnish Sports

Complex and Trail 2340 Sandy Lake Road Carrollton Alignment Park / Trail -

W. J. Thomas

Sports Fields, and

Splash Park

1955 North Perry Road Carrollton Alignment,

Station Park -

Addison

Addison Circle Park 4950 Addison Circle Drive Addison Station,

Alignment Park -

Beckert Park 5044 Addison Circle Drive Addison Station,

Alignment Park -

Bosque Park 15675 Quorum Drive Addison Station,

Alignment Park -

Parkview Park 5032 Parkview Addison Station,

Alignment Park -

Spruill Park 4936 Marcus Avenue Addison Station,

Alignment Park -

Dallas

City of Dallas Public

Use Area 16900 Davenport Road Dallas Alignment

Public Use

Area -

Keller Springs Park 5710 Keller Springs Road Dallas Station,

Alignment Park -

Preston Green Park 6900 Duffield Court Dallas Alignment Park -

Preston Ridge Trail

Begins at Haymeadow Drive

and Coit Road Northward to

Beltline Road; Parallel to

Meandering Way to

Mullrany Drive Just South of

McCallum Boulevard

Dallas Alignment Trail No

Wagging Tail Dog

Park 5841 Keller Springs Road Dallas

Station,

Alignment Park -

Richardson

Bush Central

Barkway Dog Park

3581 North Central

Expressway Richardson

Station,

Alignment Park -

Cityline Plaza 3451 Routh Creek Parkway Richardson Station,

Alignment Park -

Cityline Park 3451 Routh Creek Parkway Richardson Station,

Alignment Park -

Custer Park and

Trail

Southwest corner of Custer

Road and Renner Road Richardson Alignment Park/Trail No

Table 5-1

Publicly Owned Parks and Recreational Facilities Inventory

Facility Name Address City

Proximity to

Station or

Alignment

Description

Included

on

Regional

Veloweb

Point North Park

and Trail 3222 North Floyd Road Richardson

Station,

Alignment Park/Trail No

Renner West Linear

Park

Renner Road from Renner

Road at Point North Parkway

to Central Expressway

Richardson Alignment Trail No

Spring Creek Nature

Area

Between Routh Creek

Parkway and North Plano

Road; South of East Renner

Road

Richardson Station,

Alignment Park/Trail -

Spring Creek Nature

Trail

From East Renner Road

(Near Central Expressway)

to Routh Creek Parkway

Richardson Station,

Alignment Trail No

University of Texas

At Dallas (UTD)Trail

Follows the property

boundary of UTD; connects

with Renner Trail on Renner

Road

Richardson Station,

Alignment

City/County

Trail No

Plano

Douglass

Community Center

and Playground -

Boys and Girls Club

of Collin County

1111 Avenue H Plano Station,

Alignment Park -

Haggard Park and

Trail 901 East 15th Street Plano

Station,

Alignment Park Yes

Shoshoni Park 1501 Del Sol Drive Plano Station,

Alignment Park -

Coppell

Grapevine Springs Park Preserve and Trail - This is a 23-acre park and designated historic site that abuts

the Cotton Belt Corridor just west of Denton Tap Road. It is named for the aquatic springs that flow into

a rock lined channel. Many of the rock features of this park were built with the funding from the Work

Projects Administration (WPA) a part of the American New Deal Agency programs in 1933. The springs

flow to the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. This park includes picnic facilities and trails.

Grapevine Creek Park - This City of Coppell Park includes 33.1 acres of undeveloped parkland.

Carrollton

A.W. Perry Homestead Museum - A museum that provides a look of early 20th century life, the A.W.

Perry Homestead Museum includes structures and land that were donated to the City of Carrollton in

1975. Today the 10-acre park is open to the public and conducts tours, holds a variety of events and can

be rented for birthday celebrations, weddings, photography and other special occasions. It was

designated a historic landmark in 1977 by the Texas Historical Commission.

Dimension Tract – The Park contains 38 acres of undeveloped land that is situated along the Elm Fork

of the Trinity River. In addition to the 11.5 acres of native vegetative land parcels, the park has a 14-acre

open water pond, 3.5 acres of wetland habitat, and 9 acres of bottom land hardwoods. There is paved

parking available as well as benches and canoe and kayak launches into the Trinity River.

Downtown City Square Park and Gazebo - This Park is a recognized historical site in Carrollton and is

often rented for events.

Elm Fork Nature Preserve - This 40-acre site was originally purchased as a wood right in 1861, but was

never clear cut. The site was donated to the City of Carrollton in 1986. The site is a virtually

undisturbed area and considered to be a valued example of a “self-contained ecosystem”. It is a

designated nature area and includes an interpretive center, trails, and a Texas Wildscape. The City of

Carrollton owns 18.50 acres of the park, while Dallas County owns the other 21.78 acres. A master plan

is available for this site. The Preserve is located east of McInnish Park.

Elm Fork Nature Preserve Trail - This 0.78-mile, natural-surface trail is located inside the Elm Fork

Nature Preserve. The trails are open 365 days a years from dawn until dusk.

Francis Perry Park – Located among large shade trees, this three-acre park in Carrollton includes picnic

tables, grills, a lighted tennis court, and a newly replaced playground (2016).

Gravley Park – The 13-acre park site was dedicated to the city and is adjacent to the A.W. Perry

Homestead Museum which includes walking paths, benches, a water fountain, and a parking lot.

Gravley Park Loop - This one-quarter mile concrete path is located within Gravley Park, adjacent to the

A.W. Perry Homestead Museum.

Hutton Branch Purple Trail – This trail is on 15 acres just east of Carrollton City Hall. Situated along a

park, this trail features concrete sidewalks and a wide walking trail from Steenson Park to Kelly

Boulevard

Josey Ranch Lake Park - This 100-acre linear greenbelt connects several parks in the area, including

Thomas Park, Jimmy Porter Park, Keller Springs Park, and Mill Valley Park. It is located adjacent to the

BNSF rail corridor, and a portion of the park is within one-quarter mile of the Cotton Belt Corridor.

Development of the park includes a 3.50 acre lake with fishing pier, concession/restroom facilities,

natural area for observing birds and wildlife, hike and bike trails, picnic facilities, playground, and

parking facilities. With an exception of an 18-hole disc golf course, 50 acres will remain undeveloped for

a portion of the park that is located east of Josey Lane.

Kelly Athletic Field – This is a Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District facility utilized by

the public who are within the school district. It includes a baseball field, soccer fields, and locker rooms.

Pioneer Park – Pioneer Park is only a 0.5 acre common area located near Old Downtown Carrollton. The

park includes the city square and a gazebo. It has been designated a historical site.

R.E. Good Sports Complex - This complex is located on a 48-acre site and is found within the McInnish

Park Sports Complex site. Park amenities include five soccer fields, picnic tables, a playground, a nature

trail, an overlook shelter, and drinking fountains. The complex can be accessed through McInnish Park

via McInnish Park Drive.

McInnish Park Sports Complex and Trail - This 220-acre site accommodates both a park and a sports

complex. The sports complex encompasses 186 acres on the south side of Sandy Lake Road and has 27

sports fields for baseball, softball, and soccer. The amenities include six concession stands/restrooms,

two playgrounds, a lake for fishing and RC boats. The park provides picnic tables, grills and walking

paths. The remaining 34 acres are leased by the city and are located on the north side of Sandy Lake

Road. Within the 34-acre park are grills and picnic tables, a multipurpose sports field, and river frontage

with a boat ramp. R.J. McInnish Park Trails are located in various areas within the Sports Complex.

W. J. Thomas Sports Fields and Splash Park - This 25-acre park includes lighted sports fields. It is located

east of Josey Ranch Sports Complex and across Perry Road from the W.J. Thomas Splash Park (1955

North Perry Road). It also includes restrooms, concession stands, a playground, three tennis courts, and

picnic facilities. It is located adjacent to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) rail corridor and within

one-quarter mile of the Cotton Belt Corridor.

Addison

Addison Circle Park - This ten-acre area is the site of Addison’s many annual special events such as

Addison’s Taste Addison, Kaboom Town, and Oktoberfest. Park amenities include a pavilion, restrooms,

benches, interactive fountains, two stages, pergola, park benches, and off-street parking.

Beckert Park - This park, formerly known as Esplanade Park, is now named after former mayor Rich

Beckert. The park is nestled between the high-rise buildings of the Addison Circle District. The park

features a lighted walkway, park benches, and on-street parking. Special musical events are held here

June through August.

Bosque Park - This is a one-acre park which features dense tree cover (Red Cedar), a fountain, lighted

walking path, patio tables, park benches and on-street parking.

Parkview Park – Parkview is a small 0.75 acre site located in the Addison Circle District and includes a

pavilion, tables, a rose garden, and on-street parking.

Spruill Park – This 1.5 acre park is located within the Fairfield Development park and features a rose

garden, a pavilion with seating area, a plaza with bench seating, and a large open lawn area

Dallas

City of Dallas Public Use Area – This is a 2.5-acre wooded area open to the public.

Keller Springs Park – Keller Springs is a 10-acre park located south of the Wagging Tail Dog Park. White

Rock Creek flows through this community park.

Preston Green Park – This 4.4-acre is located south of McCallum Boulevard and west of Hillcrest Road.

This neighborhood park includes park benches outdoor basketball courts picnic tables and a playground.

A perennial stream, Floyd Branch, a tributary to Cottonwood Creek, flows through this community park.

Preston Ridge Trail – This 6.25 mile trail begins at Haymeadow Drive and Coit Road. The trail follows an

electric transmission line northward to Beltline Road and the west to Meandering Way. The trail then

turns northward and follows Meandering Way to McCallum Boulevard. The trail makes a side loop at

Salado Park near Bowie Elementary School. Another portion of this trail turns wet just past Arbor Oaks

Drive crossing Hillcrest Road and Meadowcreek Drive, passing behind Brentfield Elementary School.

Existing portions of the trail are within one-half mile of the proposed Renner Village Station as well as

within one-quarter mile of the alignment as it crosses Davenport Road south of Campbell Road.

Wagging Tail Dog Park - This 6.9-acre dog park is located northwest of Preston Road. The park features

walking trails, a fenced area for off-leash play, benches, dog and human drinking fountains, and an

observation deck overlooking White Rock Creek.

Richardson

Bush Central Barkway Dog Park – This six-acre park was made possible through a coordinated effort by

Oncor and TxDOT provided the City of Richardson use of the space to locate this facility. The park

includes separate areas for large and small dogs; the park has a central plaza with restrooms, shade

structures and open space with different textures that include grass, decomposed granite, stone and

logs.

Central Trail - The existing portion of this trail generally follows the Red Line LRT corridor from Arapaho

Station to Renner Road.

CityLine Park – This is a 5.75-acre park facility at northwest corner of Renner Road and Routh Creek

Parkway. The Central Trail provides a connection to the DART station. The park provides pavilions, park

benches, and trails for both hiking and biking.

CityLine Plaza – A centrally located urban plaza surrounded by restaurants, residential apartments and

businesses.

Custer Park and Trail - This seven-acre park offers a softball field, a field area for soccer or lacrosse, a

playground, two lighted tennis courts, picnic tables and on-site parking lot.

Point North Park and Trail - This is a Richardson City Park that features a large field area for soccer or

lacrosse, a softball field, a playground, and a parking lot for park users.

Renner West Linear Park - The existing portion of this trail extends east from the intersection of Renner

Road and Point North Parkway to Central Expressway.

Spring Creek Nature Area - This City of Richardson recreational facility includes a 3.84-mile multi-use

trail that extends from Renner Road and US 75 south and east through wooded areas and continues to

connect with the Galatyn Woodland Preserve. The trail head at Renner Road and Central Expressway

includes a parking lot and restrooms.

Spring Creek Nature Trail - This City of Richardson trail connects to the bikeway on Alma Road and then

heads south to the Spring Creek Nature Area. This existing trail winds through the nature area and

terminates at Renner Road, where it will connect with the future extension of the Renner Trail.

University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) Trail - This trail, which includes existing and future elements, follows

the property boundary of UTD and connects with Renner Trail on Renner Road.

Plano

Douglass Community Center and Playground - Boys and Girls Club of Collin County – The Douglass

Center houses the Collin County Boys and Girls Club. Programs are provided for children 8-16. There is

also a neighborhood playground adjacent to the Douglass Community Center in the courtyard by

Thomas Gymnasium.

Haggard Park and Trail - This City of Plano park is adjacent to the Downtown Plano Red Line LRT station

and includes a gazebo, playground, and restrooms. The Interurban Railway Museum is also located

here.

Shoshoni Park - This City of Plano Neighborhood Park is located northwest of the proposed Shiloh

Station area and includes a playground, grills, a water fountain, and an open sports practice field.

5.3 Privately Owned Facilities

This section describes privately owned facilities that are found within one-quarter mile of the Cotton

Belt Corridor and one-half mile of the proposed station locations. Table 5-2 provides a list of privately

owned recreational facilities which are also located within the project study area. The Cotton Belt

Corridor pre-dates all listed facilities in the project study area.

Table 5-2

Privately Owned Recreational Facilities

Facility Name Address City

Proximity to

Station or

Alignment

Open to Public

or Private

Coppell

Future Carter Phase III

Addition common area

1 Legacy Court Coppell Alignment,

Station

Homeowners

Association (HOA)

Common Area

Riverchase Golf Club 700 Riverchase Drive Coppell Alignment Open to Public

Yucatan Beach Club 1850 East Belt Line Road Coppell Alignment Open to Public

Bahama Beach Club 1849 East Belt Line Road Coppell Alignment Open to Public

Carrollton

Dallas Pistol Club 1830 West Belt Line Road Carrollton Alignment Members Only

Honors Golf Club

(Maridoe Golf Club)

2525 Country Club Drive Carrollton Alignment Members Only

The Country Place 2727 Country Place Drive Carrollton Alignment HOA Common

Area

Dallas

The Clubs of Prestonwood 15909 Preston Road Dallas Station,

Alignment

Open to Public

Table 5-2

Privately Owned Recreational Facilities

Facility Name Address City

Proximity to

Station or

Alignment

Open to Public

or Private

Preston Trails HOA 5950 and 5955 Westgrove

Circle, 9009 and 16700

Preston Trail Drive, 16421

Ashbourne Drive

Dallas Station,

Alignment

Residential

Common Areas

Fairhill School 16100 Preston Road Dallas Station,

Alignment

Green Space

Associated with

Private School

Adventure Landing 17717 Coit Road Dallas Station,

Alignment

Open to Public

Somerset Amenity Center Maribeth Drive Dallas Station,

Alignment

HOA Common

Area

Richardson

Education Community

Garden at Texas AgriLife

Extension Center

17360 North Coit Road Richardson Station,

Alignment

Open to Public

The Practice Tee Golf

Center

3570 Waterview Parkway Richardson Station,

Alignment

Open to Public

Canyon Creek Country Club 625 West Lookout Drive Richardson Alignment Open to Public

Coppell

Future Carter Phase III Addition common area (Platted) - This neighborhood common area in the Carter

Phase III Addition will be privately owned by the HOA.

Riverchase Golf Club - This is a privately owned golf course that offers both membership and daily-fee

options. This club is within one-quarter mile of the Cotton Belt alignment.

Yucatan Beach Club - This privately owned facility offers ten sand volleyball courts, a swimming pool,

dart boards, and pool tables. Weekly leagues in sand volleyball, darts, and pool are offered here. Poker

tournaments are also held at this site. A paved parking lot adjacent to the building is shared with

abutting light industrial/warehouse businesses. The Cotton Belt Corridor crosses the only entrance to

this business. The entrance from Belt Line Road to this facility is a shared entrance with a cement plant

and the aforementioned abutting businesses. Access to the facility is granted through a license

agreement with DART.

Bahama Beach Club - This privately owned facility offers approximately eight sand volleyball courts and

holds weekly leagues and tournaments.

Carrollton

Dallas Pistol Club - This private, members-only club is an outdoor shooting facility in Carrollton. Facilities

include shooting ranges, bays for action pistol events, and an indoor airgun range. The only entrance to

this facility crosses the existing Cotton Belt Corridor from Belt Line Road. Access to the facility is granted

through a license agreement with DART.

Honors Golf Club Dallas - According to the club’s website, this club was originally founded in 1881 as The

Phoenix Club and then moved to Carrollton in the 1950s, when the organization built a golf course and

country club. The club has also been known as the Columbian Club. The grounds include the largest

privately-owned lake in Dallas County. The private, members-only facility offers one 18-hole golf course.

This club is within one-quarter mile of the Cotton Belt Corridor. The only entrance to this golf club

crosses the existing Cotton Belt alignment from Country Club Drive. Access to the facility is granted

through a license agreement with DART.

The Country Place - This area provides recreational facilities for its community of 742 homes. Facilities

include tennis courts, swimming pools and lakes and ponds.

Dallas

The Clubs of Prestonwood - This is a privately owned club that is open to the public. It offers two 18-

hole golf courses and is located within one-half mile of the proposed Knoll Trail Station.

Preston Trails HOA common areas - These privately-owned areas provide greenspace for the residents

of the Preston Trails neighborhood.

Fairhill School - This vacant 2.3-acre area along the bank of the McKamy Branch is owned by the private

school.

Adventure Landing - This privately owned facility offers family entertainment with an 18-hole miniature

golf course, a go-kart speedway, batting cages, and arcade games.

Somerset Amenity Center - This privately owned facility offers a swimming pool, play lot, picnic shelter,

and basketball court.

Richardson

Education Community Garden at Texas AgriLife Extension Center – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Service is available to every resident in every Texas county.

The Practice Tee Golf Center - This golf facility in Richardson offers a nine-hole Par 3 short-game course,

full driving range, and golf instruction. Its southern and southwestern property boundaries are adjacent

to the Cotton Belt Corridor and a Kansas City Southern (KCS) rail line crosses over Cotton Belt Corridor in

this area.

Canyon Creek Country Club - This privately owned facility is open to the public and offers one 18-hole

course. The club is within one-half mile of the proposed UTD/Synergy Park Station.

5.4 Future Recommended Trails

The Cotton Belt project provides the surrounding area with numerous opportunities develop a

contiguous system of interconnecting trails. This section describes the planned trail facilities that are

found within one-quarter mile of the Cotton Belt Corridor and one-half mile of the proposed station

locations. Table 5-3 provides a list of recommended trails proposed for construction.

Table 5-3

Future Recommended Facilities Inventory

Facility Name Address City

Location to

Station or

Alignment

Description Regional

Veloweb

Future Cotton Belt

Trail

Parallel to existing Cotton Belt

Corridor for entire length of

project (exact location unknown

at this time)

All Station,

Alignment

Future

segments of

existing

regional trail

Yes

Coppell

Campion Trail North

MacArthur

Boulevard Extension

From south of Mockingbird Lane

at Irving’s Proposed Campion

Trail Alignment, extending in a

loop around North Lake.

Coppell Station,

Alignment

Proposed

Trail Yes

Carrollton

Future bike and

pedestrian trail

(Crosby Trail)

Along Crosby Road from Josey

Lane to the Green Line, then

heading north generally

paralleling the Green Line

alignment

Carrollton Station,

Alignment Trail Yes

Funded bike and

pedestrian trail

(Hutton Branch

Trail)

Heading northeast along the

Burlington Northern Santa Fe

(BNSF) rail corridor generally

from the intersection of the

Green Line and proposed Cotton

Belt alignments to Josey Lane

Carrollton Station,

Alignment

City/

County Trail Yes

Dallas

Future bike and

pedestrian trail

(Elm Fork Trail)

Along the Elm Fork of the Trinity

River Dallas Alignment Trail Yes

Preston Ridge Trail

Expansion

From Mullrany Drive to North of

Frankford Road; Parallel to

Meandering Way

Dallas Station,

Alignment Trail Yes

Richardson

Central Trail From Renner Road to President

George Bush Turnpike Richardson Trail No

Table 5-3

Future Recommended Facilities Inventory

Facility Name Address City

Location to

Station or

Alignment

Description Regional

Veloweb

Renner West Linear

Park and Trail

Red Line Light Rail Transit (LRT)

corridor east to North Plano

Road

Richardson Trail No

Spring Creek Trail Winds through Richardson

connecting to Renner Trail Richardson Trail No

UTD Trail Follows through UTD property

connecting to Renner Trail Richardson Trail No

Plano

15th Street Station Along Avenue I From Haggard

Park to Near 18th Street Plano

Station,

Alignment Trail Yes

Plano Central Link From 12th Street to 18th Street

through Haggard Park Plano

Station,

Alignment Trail Yes

Regional Veloweb - As part of the NCTCOG Mobility 2040 Plan (Mobility 2040 Plan), the Regional

Veloweb (Veloweb) has been expanded to 1,876 miles. The Veloweb is a part of the long-term

metropolitan transportation plan adopted by the Regional Transportation Council (RTC), the

transportation policy body of the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Dallas-Fort Worth area. As

a planned network of off-street shared-use paths (trails), the Veloweb is designed to serve as a means

for bicyclists, pedestrians, and other non-motorized forms of transportation to move about the local

areas. Additionally, the Veloweb functions as the regional network for users providing alternatives to

the region’s roadway and passenger rail transit network. Veloweb alignments are developed through

cooperative efforts of local community governments and NCTCOG staff and presently represent 56 local

plans with shared-use paths (trails) and an additional 23 local plans that include on-street bikeway

facilities. Veloweb connections are planned in 10 counties and 105 cities in North Central Texas region.

Cotton Belt Trail (Future) – This planned trail stretches from Fort Worth to Wylie within the existing

DART-owned Cotton Belt right-of-way (Cotton Belt Corridor). DART does have a Hike and Bike Trail Use

policy (Resolution # 960034) that allows for implementation of trails within DART-owned right-of-way.

DART would retain ownership and transit purposes would supersede trail uses. Cities and counties

within the region are responsible for the planning and implementation of bicycle and pedestrian

infrastructure and amenities. Community Pathways are similar to the Veloweb, and although they may

not provide a connection to a major destination, they help supplement the Veloweb network.

Coppell

Campion Trail – North MacArthur Boulevard Extension – This planned trail would extend south from Belt

Line Road near Mockingbird Lane and Irving’s proposed Campion Trail Alignment around North Lake.

According to Making Connections Reality . . . Community-Wide Trails Implementation Plan (Coppell,

2010), the trail around this scenic area should include a 12-foot wide concrete trail which would connect

land uses on this large tract of land, and also to the regional Veloweb.

Carrollton

Crosby Trail – This trail would be an extension of the Hutton Branch Trail, which is a 3.4 mile concrete

shared used path connects residents with parks and the city’s DART train station. The city plans to

eventually extend the trail south along the DART Green Line to Crosby Road (Traillink, 2017).

Dallas

Elm Fork Trail –The Elm Fork Trail as proposed will be follow along Elm Fork Creek from the Trinity

Meanders near I-35E to just south of Bachman Lake.

Preston Ridge Trail Expansion – An extension of this trail will continue north from McCallum Boulevard

to State Highway (SH) 190. Supporters of this trail have formed a group called the Friends of Preston

Ridge Trail. The organization maintains a website to share trail information, news, and donation

opportunities.

Richardson

Central Trail - The future portion of the trail will extend north from Renner Road to just north of

President George Bush Turnpike.

Renner West Linear Park - A future extension of this trail is planned from the Red Line Light Rail Transit

(LRT) corridor east to North Plano Road to connect with existing walkways on Renner Road east of North

Plano Road.

Spring Creek Trail - The existing trail winds through the Spring Creek Nature Area and terminates at

Renner Road. The proposed expansion will allow it to connect with the future extension of the Renner

Trail.

University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) Trail – The existing trail will connect to proposed trails planned to

follow the property boundary of UTD and also with Renner Trail on Renner Road.

Plano

15th Street Station Trail – Proposed Trail along Avenue I from Haggard Park to 18th St.

Plano Central Link – Proposed trail along Avenue A through Haggard Park from 12th to 18th Street.

5.5 Section 4(f) and Section 6(f) Properties All publicly owned facilities listed above are potential Section 4(f) properties that would likely be

protected by Section 4(f) regulations. In addition, historic resources, whether privately owned or

publically owned, also fall under the protection of Section 4(f). Listed on—or eligible for listing on—the

National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) are potential Section 4(f) properties, as well properties with

local historical significance even if not NRHP-listed or eligible.

Potential Section 4(f) Properties

Publically owned parks or recreational facilities covered under Section 4(f) that may be affected by the

proposed project are discussed in the Parks and Recreational Facilities Impact Assessment Technical

Memorandum. Future stages of project development should consider alternatives or methods to avoid

use of Section 4(f) properties.

Park facilities within the project area that are identified as known historic resources include the A.W.

Perry Homestead Museum, the Downtown City Square Park and Gazebo, and Pioneer Park. Historic

resources within a defined area of potential effect (APE) are discussed in the Cultural Resources Existing

Conditions Technical Memorandum, the Archeological Resource Survey (2017), the Historic Resources

Reconnaissance Survey Report (2013) and the Historic-age Resource Reconnaissance Survey (2017).

Archeological Resources

Only new rail, station, and support facility ROW were subject to intensive survey efforts as existing rail

ROW areas were determined to be previously disturbed and not likely to impact undocumented

archeological sites. Two newly documented archeological sites were discovered during field

investigations. Site 41COL291 is a railroad section foreman house within the proposed Plano 12th Street

Station footprint. This site is recommended as ineligible for listing in the NRHP within the current APE.

Site 41DL535 is a historic-age farmstead site located on the east side of Grapevine Creek. A new bridge

is planned to be constructed as a part of this proposed project. This site is recommended as eligible for

listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) with further detailed testing recommended

prior to construction of the Plano Station.

Historical Resources Previous 2013 efforts documented 68 historic-age resources along the proposed Cotton Belt Corridor

Regional Rail project. The 2017 survey documented six new historic-age resource sites. However, based on

avoidance practices implemented in the design, a determination has been made that the proposed actions

would have no adverse effect to historic properties.

Potential Section 6(f) Properties

Four Section 6(f) resources were identified in the project study area. Four LWCF grants were found in

the NPS LWCF grant database for the project study area. All four entries are located in Dallas County.

One recreational facility, McInnish Park in Carrollton, has had three grants awarded since the 1970s for

some portions of its complex. The other park receiving LWCF funding is also located in Carrollton:

Thomas Park. The grant database entries themselves do not provide specific details regarding the work

that was funded by the grant; however, the title of the grant sometimes offers a clue. Generally, grants

under Section 6(f) stipulate that the entire park will be considered as covered under the conversion

restriction even though a grant may have been for only a small part of a park. In rare cases the grant

may specify that only a part of the park is covered.

6.0 SOURCE INFORMATION AND REFERENCES

Addison, 2017. Parks at a Glance. Accessed online https://addisontexas.net/index.php?section=parks-

department_parks-map-and-guide

Carrollton, 2017. Parks. Accessed online http://www.cityofcarrollton.com/departments/departments-

g-p/parks-recreation/parks-trails-and-natural-areas#McInnish Park and Sports Complex

CityLine, 2017. Outside the Line. Accessed online http://citylinedfw.com/parks/

Coppell, 2010. Making Connections Reality . . . Community-Wide Trails Implementation Plan. Accessed

online http://www.coppelltx.gov/Documents/Government/Parks-and-

Recreation/coppelltrailsimplementationmp.pdf August 14, 2017.

Coppell, 2017. Parks, Pavilions, & Trails. Accessed online http://www.coppelltx.gov/residents/parks-

pavilions-trails

Dallas, 2017. Dallas Parks & Recreation. Accessed online

http://www.dallasparks.org/Facilities?clear=True

Plano, 2017. Parks and Recreation. Accessed online https://www.plano.gov/204/Parks-Recreation

Trailing, 2017. Hutton Branch Trail Description. Accessed online https://www.traillink.com/trail/hutton-

branch-trail/ August 23, 2017