Sam A. Lopez
Public Information Officer
Trinity River Corridor Project
(214) 671-9511

The meeting is open to the public and will begin at 6:30 p.m. The Women's Museum is located at 3800 Parry Avenue in Fair Park. There is no charge to attend. Free parking will be available. (Participants driving to the session should enter the Fair Park grounds through the Washington Avenue Gate. Then, look for the parking lot adjacent to The Women's Center.)

Hosted by the City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department, the Trinity River Corridor Project Management Office and Brown Reynolds Watford (BRW) Architects, the session will allow the public to find out about early plans for a Trinity Interpretive Center and related facilities. Those facilities may ultimately be located in or near the Great Trinity Forest that is located in southeast Dallas.

"Public feedback is so important to projects like this," said Paul Dyer, director of the City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department. "We had great public participation during our first meeting in March and we hope that even more interested individuals and organizations will join us on May 20."

"Our team has been working hard since the last session, so we know that the public will want to join us to get the latest update on this important component of the Trinity River Corridor Project," said Rebecca Dugger, project director. "The May 20 session will focus on recommendations from Site Feasibility Analyses for facilities and trails, along with facility programming and partnering opportunities."

In August 2002, the Dallas City Council approved the awarding of a contract to BRW Architects to provide a feasibility study and master plan for the Trinity Interpretive Center, equestrian centers and other associated components. BRW Architects are leading a team of well-known and respected professionals, including Antoine Predock, design architect; and the firm of Lyons/Zaremba, Inc., interpretive planner. Their study and plan will include hard surface and soft surface trails. They will also be responsible for site selection of a maintenance facility for the Trinity River Corridor.

The Great Trinity Forest Master Plan Concept approved by the City Council in 1997, proposes the development of the Trinity Interpretive Center, equestrian facilities and nature trails, multipurpose trails to be used for recreation and transportation, boat launches, and trailhead improvements. It also outlines the acquisition and preservation of bottomland hardwood forest within the Trinity River Corridor.

The Trinity Interpretive Center is currently planned as a focus for educational and environmental interests in the Trinity River Corridor; eco-tourism activities; aquatic, archaeological and historical exhibits; and theme gardens at the center of the Great Trinity Forest's trail system.

Equestrian centers are proposed in both the Great Trinity Forest and at a satellite center near downtown. Equestrian trails in the forest are also planned. Available to both local equestrian enthusiasts and tourists, the facilities can provide opportunities for those interested in entertainment for a few hours or an entire day.

The consultant team should complete their work on the feasibility study and master plan in March 2004. Design work would then begin and construction could begin in early 2006.

When completed, the entire Trinity River Corridor Project will increase flood protection, improve traffic congestion in the downtown area, encourage development of the lands along the river, as well as provide recreational amenities and environmental benefits.

For more information about the May 20 public meeting, please call the City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department at (214) 670-4107.

For more information about the Trinity River Corridor Project, please call
(214) 671-9500 or go to its Web site at www.trinityrivercorridor.org

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