Grapevine Goes Green
Increasing the number of green spaces and reducing the impact on the environment are important factors in project development in Texas. Grapevine Parks and Recreation is making great strides in this department, and currently manages 38 park sites spanning a total of 1,553 acres, six recreational facilities, and a network of trails celebrated for excellent hiking and mountain biking.
A few years ago the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission granted $500,000 to the city of Grapevine for the Silver Lake project, renamed Settlers Park. While the global health crisis slowed down the development, the City of Grapevine plans to provide high-quality, outdoor recreational activities and developments that include nature trails, pedestrian walks, drainage enhancements, a pavilion, outdoor seating, picnic facilities, a fishing pier, kayaking, an overlook, and outdoor camping.
Ten acres of Settlers Park will be natural open space with a pond and wetland and wooded areas with the intention of increasing participation in and access to the outdoors. Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate says that Settlers Park is critical to local conservation efforts and the preservation of natural resources and wildlife habitats. Preservation of natural open space and parklands benefits the community economically because the value of property increases. It also encourages a healthier lifestyle. Settlers Park will play an important role in providing homes for wildlife, and will increase the connectivity of the natural landscape and facilitate the movement of wildlife, said Rachel Richter, an urban biologist.
Groups in Grapevine Growing
The City of Grapevine Public Works Department is taking steps to improve the energy efficiency of facilities and conserve natural resources. There are green groups and organizations in Grapevine that value sustainability. These groups in Grapevine strive to use energy and renewable resources efficiently and to ensure they plan and develop in a way that is best for business, residents, and the environment. Keep Grapevine Beautiful, established in 1990, seeks to maintain the natural beauty in Grapevine by calling on citizens to engage in voluntary work including cleaning parks and hiking trails.
However, while they welcome volunteers, there’s also the importance of having the right people looking after outdoor spaces. Professional landscapers are needed to look after the parks and maintain their natural equilibrium. Not only do they have the knowledge to ensure the areas are properly preserved and sensitively landscaped to avoid damage, but they are also best equipped to do what can often be back-breaking work.
A Continued Focus On Green Spaces in Cities
A regular walk or jog in the park, or on a street lined with plants and trees provides a number of health benefits, including less stress and mental health problems, fewer heart diseases, better cognitive functioning and a longer life expectancy. What is more, according to Texas Health, "Walking briskly for up to 30 minutes each day can help increase blood flow and prevent and control high blood pressure". Furthermore, green spaces in cities also contribute to reducing urban heat island effects, and with rising Texas temperatures, the need for green developments is even more important.
