Denton Creek Park Master Plan

Project Description

As part of an ongoing effort to bring a visionary development to one of the largest remaining contiguous tracts of undeveloped land in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, the City of Grapevine wanted to create a new, linear park along Denton Creek. The park would offer trails, amenities, and educational opportunities to visitors. With its location just a few miles from DFW International Airport, it would also offer the City a possible gateway to a market of seven million people.

The master planning team, led by TBG, opted to begin the process by examining the site within the context of its watershed. As the team’s ecological consultant, Biohabitats analyzed the ecological and hydrological conditions of the stream system. The analysis revealed that urbanization and past land practices caused extreme channel incision and severe bank erosion, threatening water and sewer infrastructure, and degrading water quality and habitat.

Working closely with the planning team, the City, and stakeholder groups, Biohabitats identified opportunities to integrate stream, wetland, and riparian restoration into the master plan. Three park alternatives were developed, with the preferred alternative creating a new floodplain to restore the riparian ecology of Denton Creek and provide public access. Biohabitats then prepared schematic design for the restoration portion of the master plan, which included recommended plant community lists for anticipated hydrologic zones.

The master plan received an Honor Award in Planning & Analysis from the Texas chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.